A team of technicians from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A. (HEDNO) was flown in to the island of Andros, Greece, in a civil protection agency helicopter on Thursday, as efforts continued to restore power to the island of Tinos. A grid malfunction had left the island without power for the second day, as poor weather conditions in Greece hampered access to the problem site. Tinos receives its power from Andros via an underwater cable.
A special caterpillar track vehicle able to clear snow that was sent to Andros on Wednesday, was unable to approach the areas needing repair as it overturned on the way.
Power started to be restored on the island late on Thursday, after technicians located and successfully repaired the source of malfunction. Electricity to the island is expected to be fully restored in the next few hours.
Small-scale power cuts were also reported in Attica and villages in Euboea, which are gradually being repaired as access to the network is restored.
Greek Navy gunship “Samos” set sail for Tinos harbor in order to house island residents in need of assistance due to the extended power outage. The ship is expected to arrive before midnight.
A Greek Army NH-90 helicopter was on standby to carry Public Power Corporation (PPC) technicians to the island as soon as the weather improved so that they could check the electricity grid. The order to send the ship and helicopter was given by National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias after speaking with Tinos mayor about the situation on the island, based on recommendations from the navy and army chiefs of staff.
Dendias was also contacted by Greek Labor Minister Yiannis Vroutsis regarding the provision of aid to the island from the military.
(source: ana-mpa)
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