- 16,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power this evening in regions most impacted by Storm Ellen including the South and Midlands – this includes 6,000 new customer outages today.
- ESB Networks crews are working until nightfall to reconnect as many customers as possible and will mobilise again at first light on Saturday morning
- 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
Friday 21 August 2020, Time: 5.30 pm
ESB Networks crews have restored power to a further 16,000 homes, farms and businesses this afternoon (Friday) as restoration efforts continue post-Storm Ellen. Due to the large number of individual faults reported in the most affected areas and the general blustery weather today, 16,000 customers remain without power this evening. Since the arrival of Storm Ellen on Thursday night, ESB Networks has restored power to over 184,000 families, primarily in the South, West and Midlands regions.
The areas which remain most affected include:
- East Cork
- Tipperary
- East Limerick
- East Galway
- Leitrim
Crews will continue working until nightfall in these areas, where safe to do so, and will mobilise again at first light on Saturday morning to reconnect those who remain without power. Our skilled network technicians from less impacted areas of the country will continue to assist their colleagues in the regions still affected. However, with a number of individual fault sites remaining on the network, some customers in these areas will be without power tonight, with small pockets of these customers potentially without power beyond that. We are acutely aware of the significant strain that these outages have placed on the family and commercial lives of those who remain without power and apologise for the disruption caused.
The latest information on power outages and estimated restoration times are available on the PowerCheck App or www.powercheck.ie, which will be continually updated as more information on the damage to the electricity infrastructure is assessed. Weather conditions such as lightning which are unrelated to Storm Ellen have also caused a number of outages in some parts of the country today.
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.
ENDS/
Media queries to:
ESB Press Office – 01 7026009 and 085 1515886 / corporatecommunications@esb.ie