Top Energy information on planned power cuts online

Top Energy will release all the information needed for planned power outages online.

Top Energy has launched an Outage Centre on its website, featuring an interactive map displaying the latest updates on planned and unplanned power outages.

Chief executive Russell Shaw described the initiative as a step in streamlining customer outage information and providing another mechanism for people to receive latest outage updates. A key feature of the Outage Centre was that customers could subscribe to receive outage notifications specifically for their property.

"The process is very simple," he said.

"Firstly, customers can subscribe by providing their 15-character ICP number on their power bill. They will then receive notifications via email or text, advising of outages affecting their property. They can check in at any time via the internet, on their computer or smartphone."

Mr Shaw said the Outage Centre would complement existing customer channels, such as the call centre, by providing another option for people wanting the latest information. It would also help prevent call queuing during high peak call times such as storms.

The information on the Outage Centre would be as accurate as possible at the time of publishing, and the map would be updated as new details became available.

Mr Shaw advised people to always err on the side of caution, and assume the power could come on at any time, and treat lines as live at all times.

The Outage Centre was the first phase in the project to provide more customer information, to be followed later this year by a mobile outage app that would be available from Google Play and iTunes.

¦To subscribe to the Outage Centre, visit the website www.topenergy.co.nz.