- 104,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power
- While we expect tens of thousands more to be restored by tonight, some homes in areas of the South, West and Midlands will remain without power tonight
- Stay safe, stay clear of fallen electricity lines. Report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999
- Estimated power restoration times continually updated and available on the PowerCheck App and www.powercheck.ie
- ESB Networks monitoring situation and deploying crews where it is safe to do so, in line with national Covid-19 protocols
Thursday 20 August 2020, Time: 12:45 pm
ESB Networks crews have deployed across the country and have made good progress this morning to restore power to 90,000 homes, farms and businesses in the wake of Storm Ellen. 104,000 customers remain without power and while crews will continue to work into the night to repair damaged infrastructure, it is expected that significant numbers of customers will be without power overnight.
The damage is widespread in the South, West and Midlands. Counties most impacted include Cork, Tipperary, Sligo, Westmeath, Longford, Galway, Roscommon and Leitrim. The damage is mainly attributable to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.
We thank those impacted for their forbearance and for calling us on 1800 372 999 to identify over 1,700 individual fault sites. ESB Networks teams worked through the night and crews were dispatched this morning at first light to make the electricity network safe, assess the damage, and restore power as quickly and effectively as possible. Crews from less impacted areas of the country are now mobilising to assist colleagues in repairing damage in the most impacted areas.
The latest information on power outages and estimated restoration times is being continually updated on the PowerCheck App or www.powercheck.ie, as more information on the scale of the damage in impacted areas is assessed.
We are advising all those impacted by outages that they should prepare to be without electricity overnight and into tomorrow, with small pockets of customers potentially without power beyond that. It is very important that any customers who use electrically powered medical devices should contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
In addition to safety procedures associated with power restoration, crews continue to work under all national Covid-19 protocols with respect to hygiene, social distancing and PPE.
An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen trees, wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they may be LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
If your fault is not logged please report it at www.esbnetworks.ie or on 1800 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.
ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:
• Stay Safe, Stay Clear: Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1800 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.
A further update will follow later this evening.
ENDS/
Media queries to:
ESB Press Office – 01 7026009 and 087 2557186 / corporatecommunications@esb.ie