Just 150 properties still without power

3:31 pm on 10 September 2010

Six days after the earthquake, the power company Orion estimates that 150 properties in Christchurch are still without power.

Disconnections have been reported in many of the city's suburbs, but the company says it is worst in New Brighton and Avonside.

Orion says that it hopes most properties will be reconnected by nightfall on Friday, but that some connections are too badly damaged for that.

The company also expects more reports of disconnections as people who have abandoned their houses return to find the power is out.

That has been happening frequently in the Banks Peninsula town of Akaroa.

On Monday, Orion will begin its recovery phase, which involves making any temporary repairs permanent. It says that phase is likely to last many months and will involve planned power cuts for the work to be undertaken.