Frequent power outages over the last few months have been attributed to the careless excavation of underground cables and aging infrastructure.

Frequent power outages over the last few months have been attributed to the careless excavation of underground cables and aging infrastructure.

Energy Fiji Limited Chief Executive Hasmukh Patel says the increasing number of motor vehicles accidentally running into power-poles also contributes to power outages.

Patel adds there have been a lot of instances where people have dug into the EFL underground cables.

“People have perceived electric shocks. In a year we have about a dozen cases of people actually carrying out excavation and they dig into our high voltage cables and fortunately, no one has died recently because of that.”

Patel urges contractors to contact EFL if they are unsure of underground cables when excavating.