A number of Uni Flat residents are feeling left in the dark after a series of evening power outages occurred without explanation in the peak of Dunner's winter. In an effort to stay warm, residents went to bed early and “piled on blankets” all the while feeling miffed. However, an email from Uni Flats management explained that the electricity issue, caused by an increased demand to the Dunedin grid, is out of their control. Hope you’ve got your Oodie handy.
One Dundas Street flat reported having no power on two consecutive nights (Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st July), with seven other flats experiencing shorter outages during this time. Two days after the first power cut, residents received word from a Facility Manager at Uni Flats who said the problem lies with the network operator for the Dunedin power grid and wrote: “Please be rest assured that the network operator is working diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.”
Dundas Street resident Leena* told Critic that, even though she understood the situation, her flat was disappointed by what she felt was a lack of support offered from Uni Flats. “It would have been nice to be offered extra blankets or hot water bottles, or even just a bit more of an apology,” she said, pointing out that there had been no further communications from Uni Flats management about the issue, or indication as to whether they should expect more outages. The Facility Manager’s email signed off with “warm regards,” to which Leena joked that it would have been more aptly written “cold damp regards.”
Another resident Briar* was a bit more optimistic about the situation, cheekily telling Critic that she was “not too fazed” as she fought through the low temps by “hitting up the roster” and sharing body heat with some more than willing Hinge matches.
There have been reports of similar sporadic outages in privately owned flats on Grange Street (with Contact Power), with residents left likewise “confused and cold.” Back in May, national grid operator Transpower warned of insufficient electricity supplies across the motu during cold snaps when demand is particularly high, and encouraged households to be conservative with energy use at these times. It is unclear whether these circumstances also explain these current outages.
University Flats Warden Tracy De Woeps told Critic that the outages were localised to flats in Clyde, Leith and Dundas streets and sat with provider Aurora Energy, who did not respond to Critic’s requests for comment in time for print. She said residents were sent email and text updates throughout the outages and that they “always encourage tenants to reach out to us if they have particular concerns.”
*Names changed.