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Restoration Progress and Public Safety Measures
Following the unprecedented damage caused by Storm Éowyn, ESB Networks has restored electricity to 600,000 homes, farms, and businesses as of 11.30am today, Tuesday, 28 January. However, approximately 168,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of 768,000 outages recorded on Friday morning. Crews are working tirelessly to ensure that the vast majority of customers will have power restored by Friday, 31 January, with the remainder expected to have their supply restored progressively over the following week.
A key safety message has been reiterated by ESB Networks in light of several potentially dangerous incidents where members of the public unknowingly approached fallen electricity infrastructure. The organisation urges the public to stay clear of fallen lines, which are live and extremely dangerous, and report any damage immediately by calling 1800 372 999.
Reinforcements and International Assistance
To support the restoration efforts, specialist crews from Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, and France have joined the operation, along with technicians from Great Britain and redeployed ESB staff from less-affected areas of Ireland. Retired ESB staff members have also returned to assist with repairs.
In addition, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated. The EU has provided 13 power generators from its rescEU strategic reserve in Poland and four more from Denmark to help supply electricity on the ground. The EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service has also been utilised to offer analytical support.
EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib expressed solidarity, stating:
“Extreme weather events, like Storm Éowyn, increasingly put Europe’s disaster resilience to the test. But they also demonstrate the growing strength of our joint preparedness and solidarity efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the first responders in Ireland who are doing their best to bring life back to normal.”
Safety Advisory: Generators and Scams
With an increase in generator use during the outages, ESB Networks has urged caution, highlighting the risks associated with improper generator setup. Customers are encouraged to watch the safety video provided on ESB’s website for guidance. Additionally, ESB Networks has warned of scam text messages claiming to be from the organisation. Customers are advised not to engage, share personal information, or click on links in these messages.
Customer Support and Updates
ESB Networks’ customer contact centre has doubled its resources to manage the unprecedented volume of calls, maintaining short response times throughout the crisis. Customers can stay informed by signing up for the “Keep Me Notified” service at www.PowerCheck.ie, which provides updates on power outages and estimated restoration times.
Medical Device Users and Vulnerable Customers
Customers who rely on electrically powered medical devices are advised to contact their healthcare professionals to make alternative arrangements where necessary. ESB Networks acknowledges the disruption caused and has thanked customers for their patience as crews work to restore power safely.
How Power Restoration Is Managed
ESB Networks has outlined its phased approach to restoring power:
- Safety First: Fallen and low-hanging wires are made safe, with damaged lines temporarily switched out until repairs can be made.
- Remote Restoration: Power is rerouted where possible via alternative lines.
- Prioritised Repairs: High- and medium-voltage lines serving large numbers of customers are repaired first.
- Low-Voltage Repairs: Work then focuses on individual homes and small clusters, which is more time-consuming but necessary to restore power to the remaining customers.
Conclusion
Storm Éowyn has highlighted the resilience of Ireland’s emergency response and the strength of international collaboration. While significant progress has been made, ESB Networks emphasises that safety remains a top priority. The public is reminded to report any damage and to stay informed through official channels as restoration continues.