Almost 300 international contractors working with 2,500 ESB crews in worst hit areas

Statement from the ESB

As of 5.15pm (Thursday), ESB Networks has restored supply to 682,000 homes, farms and businesses – approximately 86,000 customers remain without supply, down from a peak of 768,000 following Storm Éowyn. 

Restoration work is continuing. In the areas with the largest number of faults, as we make progress to repair the extensive damage, some customers may see their Estimated Restoration Times change over the coming days.

If you are in a position to visit www.PowerCheck.ie, Estimated Restoration Times, will continue to be updated.

285 skilled technicians from counterparts in Austria, Finland, France and Britain are now on the ground in the worst impacted areas. Further support is arriving from Germany, Netherlands and Norway over the coming days.

They are supporting 2,500 local ESB Networks crews and partner contactors in the worst impacted areas who have been bolstered by colleagues from the south and east of the country, as well as skilled retirees.

In addition to the crews deployed, over 1,300 support staff are involved in overseeing damage assessment, emergency call management, logistics and network operations. Our customer contact centre has also doubled its resources to accommodate the unprecedented high volumes of calls, resulting in short call response times throughout the day and night for our customers.

Important Public Safety Message 

ESB Networks is reinforcing its vital warning around public safety as we are into day seven of the restoration of supply following Storm Éowyn. We still have many faults on the electricity network and have been made aware of several instances of potentially dangerous incidents where members of the public have unknowingly approached fallen electricity infrastructure, particularly in the worst impacted areas of the country. 

Following a significant weather event like Storm Éowyn, fallen debris can prevent people from seeing hidden risks such as wires entangled into trees and branches.

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.

We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank customers across the country who remain without power for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power.