Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has announced that a power outage affecting the entirety of Viti Levu was caused by severe lightning activity on March 28, 2025, at 2:08 PM. The island has recently been experiencing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and persistent lightning, particularly in the interior and highland areas, leading to disruptions in electrical services.
The outage resulted from lightning striking the critical 132,000-volt transmission line, which is responsible for supplying electricity from the Wailoa Power Station. In response to this situation, EFL announced that their teams are actively engaged in restoring power while ensuring that procedures are followed safely to address the fault.
EFL indicated that, given the current severe weather conditions, the restoration could take approximately 2 to 3 hours or potentially longer. The company has expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen outage, emphasizing that it was beyond their control.
This incident serves as a reminder of how natural phenomena can impact critical infrastructure, a recurring concern in areas prone to thunderstorms. Previous incidents, such as those reported earlier this month, have shown EFL’s capability to respond swiftly to similar outages, restoring power quickly for the residents in affected areas. Their prompt and effective responses have often minimized disruptions and ensured that communities can return to normal operations after such events.
Though this event causes temporary disruptions, it showcases the resilience of the energy infrastructure and EFL’s commitment to maintaining service continuity during extreme weather conditions. It highlights the importance of preparedness and efficient emergency response systems in safeguarding essential utility services. The swift actions taken by the EFL teams will instill confidence in the community for future challenges that may arise with unpredictable weather.
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