Minister for Climate, the Environment and Communications Darragh O’Brien has today unveiled “new measures” aimed at reinforcing the national grid following the severe impact of Storm Éowyn.
In a statement, the Minister acknowledged that while ESB Networks had restored power to 750,000 customers in the aftermath of the storm’s damage, as of this afternoon, 18,000 customers remain without power.
“I know that some customers are without power for nearly two weeks in some areas, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity grid,” he said, adding: “Every effort is being made to restore electricity to the remaining customers as soon as possible.”
While the Minister stressed that the Government’s “priority” was restoring power to all citizens “as quickly and as safely as possible”, he also highlighted the need to strengthen the national grid in the aftermath of the storm.
The Minister has outlined several actions to be taken once the initial storm response is complete. These include the development of an enhanced Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan within the next month, which ESB Networks will implement between March and October to reinforce the grid in the most vulnerable areas ahead of winter.
Additionally, ESB has identified several immediate measures, such as increasing spare part stock for the electricity network, establishing forestry corridors to safeguard overhead lines, and strengthening existing partnerships across Europe.
“These storms are becoming more regular and more destructive and there is a need to take immediate action to ensure that we increase the resilience of the electricity system, and therefore of the country, to this type of event,” the Minister said.
“I met with representatives from the CRU and ESB Networks, to discuss the Storm Éowyn response and the impact on customers. A number of actions emerged from these discussions and I have outlined these actions in a Memo to Government, which has been considered today.
“While the actions I set out are crucial to increasing the resilience of the electricity system in the wake of Storm Éowyn, my priority, and the priority for Government, has been and remains to be ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our citizens – by assisting the restoration of power to all as quickly and as safely as possible, and to ensure that all vulnerable customers are looked after in whatever manner is needed.
“We are providing support to vulnerable individuals who are without power, and will continue to do so. I know that colleagues in ESB Networks are working with An Garda Siochana, the HSE and other departments and agencies to ensure every vulnerable customer gets assistance.”
The Minister has also called for a comprehensive review by ESB Networks and the CRU of the planned grid enhancements, taking into account the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. This review will identify specific additional projects and investments to future-proof Ireland’s energy grid and “adapt to the challenges of climate change.”