After a falling palm frond caused a power outage on  high voltage lines in Tongatapu this week, Tonga Power Ltd. is again urging the public to ensure that trees on their properties are “trimmed to keep power lines  clear at all times”.

In a public announcement today Tonga Power apologised for power outages that occurred in Tongatapu on Monday and Tuesday nights. While Monday’s outage was due to the failure of a control unit on one of the generators at its power plant, Tuesday’s outage was attributed to a palm leaf that fell onto the high voltage powerline, which short circuited and broke two HV power lines at Vaini, opposite the Hu'atolitoli Prison.

Tonga Power also warned of a fire risk caused by trees close to power lines.

"It is important that the power lines are kept clear at all times. Tonga Power endeavours to trim and remove trees from contacting power lines, but within our limited budget." 

They advised all electricity consumers who have plans to remove trees standing near service lines within their properties to seek help from a professional in tree cutting and "do not attempt to eradicate trees close to the service lines by yourself."