Power has been restored to 143,000 homes, farms and businesses after major power outages swept across the country, leaving 725,000 people without power.
Amid Status Red weather warnings brought on by Storm Éowyn, destructive winds battered the country, causing extensive damage to the electricity network. At its peak, some 768,000 ESB customers were without power earlier today. The Electricity Supply Board has now said that the number still without electricity has been reduced to 625,000 homes, farms and businesses.
The impact on customers and damage to the electricity network nationwide is unprecedented, the state owned electricity company said in an updated statement this evening.
“With Met Éireann Red and Orange wind warnings fully lifted, ESB Networks crews and partner contractors are now deployed where safe to do so, assessing damage at fault sites and restoring supply where possible. Power restoration will continue into the evening and commence once again at first light tomorrow morning, and we expect to make good progress restoring supplies over the weekend and into next week.
“However, from our experience of previous significant weather events and due to the severity of Storm Éowyn, we expect that power restoration will take more than a week in the worst impacted areas. Estimated restoration times (ERTs) will provided once our teams have damage-assessed fault sites and these will be available and updated throughout Saturday and Sunday on www.PowerCheck.ie. “
ESB reminded customers throughout the country that it is important that any impacted customers who use electrically powered medical devices contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
Issuing an important Public Safety Message, ESB added: “If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.”