ESB NETWORKS PRESS RELEASE
ESB Networks restoring power but ongoing snowfall is causing new faults mainly in Enniscorthy, Arklow, Portlaoise and Cork environs
- New faults are still occurring on the electricity networks due to the weather conditions
- Good progress has been made on existing faults especially in the greater Dublin area
- 30,000 additional customers have lost electricity since this morning
- 34,000 homes, farms and businesses are now without power
- Due to these new faults, access issues, and worsening weather in the South East, it will be tomorrow at the earliest before some customers will get electricity back
- Cork, Enniscorthy, Arklow, greater Dublin area and eastern counties of Leinster the main areas affected
Issued: 4:30 pm, Friday 2 March 2018
NOTE: Images of restoration work available on ESB's Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/esb_group/albums/72157693274009714
Since this morning, good progress have been made on the faults in the greater Dublin area however, worsening weather in the South East has caused power to be lost to an additional 30,000 customers since this morning. The snow is still falling creating new faults on the electricity system.
As of 4:30 pm, there are 34,000 homes and business who are without electricity.
The main areas currently affected are Enniscorthy, Arklow, Portlaoise, Waterford, Dublin, Cork, Bandon, Fermoy, Tullamore, Duleek and Julianstown.
We understand how difficult it is to not have electricity in these conditions and so our staff are focussed on trying to restore supply to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. There are deep snow drifts in various parts of the country and so it is taking our crews a very long time to travel to each fault. It is also more difficult than normal to then carry out a repair.
We will continue to work with the emergency services and Local Authorities to ensure the safety of the pubic and to minimise disruption and are working with other state agencies to help us gain access.
At the peak of the storm last night, there were 117,000 premises without electricity. ESB Networks operations staff and our Control Centre restored supply to 113,000 customers since then.
ESB Networks are mobilising as many resources as conditions permit and are moving staff to the affected areas where possible.
Please be assured that we will work continuously to restore electricity to our customers.
For those customers currently impacted by faults, information on power outages and restoration times are available on:
•www.esbpowercheck.ie or on the PowerCheck App for iPhone and Android devices.
•If your fault is not showing on Powercheck please report it at https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/report-a-power-outage . Customers should have their MPRN available in order to log the fault and to access information on restoration times specific to their location
•If you have no internet access please call 1850 372 999. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location.
•You can also check @ESBNetworks on Twitter for updates.
We would also ask for help from the public in reporting all emergencies such as fallen wires to 1850 372 999.
Precautions that you may consider taking to be prepared for an electricity outage are to :
•Have plenty of food and water available
•Have torches with spare batteries available
•Make sure your phone is charged and, if possible, have a phone charger at hand for your car
•Please check that elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours are prepared to be without electricity
•If you have electric gates, please check you know how to work them manually
•Have an alternative fuel supply available if possible to provide heating for your home.
If you lose power:
•Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully
•Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost
•Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored
•Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames
•Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries
•Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.