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Storm Éowyn has wreaked havoc on Ireland’s electricity infrastructure, marking it as the most destructive storm in the history of ESB Networks. At its peak on Friday morning, 24 January, the storm left 768,000 customers without power. This far surpasses any previous storm in terms of both customer impact and network damage.

As of noon today, 26 January, ESB Networks has successfully restored power to 438,000 homes, farms, and businesses. However, approximately 330,000 customers remain without supply. The company is working tirelessly to restore power, with the vast majority expected to be reconnected by Friday, 31 January. For the remaining 100,000 customers, supply restoration is anticipated to progress throughout the following week.

Dynamic Restoration Efforts Amid Challenging Conditions

Efforts to restore power have been significantly hampered by Storm Herminia, which brought challenging weather conditions today. Although this secondary storm has not caused additional widespread damage, it has slowed progress in certain areas. ESB Networks has deployed crews from Dublin and the south of the country to the worst-affected regions. Retired network engineers have also been called back to assist, and support from European utilities, including Great Britain, is expected in the coming days.

To ensure transparency and keep customers informed, ESB Networks has updated restoration times on PowerCheck.ie, providing detailed status updates for specific outages. Customers are encouraged to use the “Keep me Notified” service by entering their Eircode and associated mobile number for real-time updates.

Safety Warnings and Public Advisory

ESB Networks has issued an urgent safety warning following reports of dangerous incidents involving members of the public unknowingly approaching fallen electricity infrastructure. Damaged or fallen wires, often hidden among debris, pose a significant risk as they remain live and extremely dangerous.

Public Safety Reminder:

• Never touch or approach fallen wires or damaged network infrastructure.
• Report damage immediately by calling 1800 372 999.
• Be cautious of scam text messages pretending to be from ESB Networks. Do not share personal information, and report suspicious messages.

Medical Device Users Advised to Make Alternative Arrangements

Customers who rely on electrically powered medical devices are urged to contact their healthcare providers to ensure alternative arrangements are in place during the outages.

Restoration Process Overview

The restoration process follows a systematic approach:

1. Crews prioritise safety by deactivating and securing damaged infrastructure.
2. Power supply is restored remotely where possible using alternative lines.
3. High-voltage transmission and medium-voltage distribution lines are repaired first to restore power to the largest number of customers.
4. Repairs on the low-voltage network, often involving individual homes or small clusters of properties, are undertaken as the final step. These repairs are time-intensive but critical to restoring full service.

ESB Networks acknowledges the significant disruption caused by Storm Éowyn and has extended its gratitude to customers for their patience during this unprecedented situation.

For updates and safety information, visit www.PowerCheck.ie.