ESB Networks has said it is continuing to monitor the deteriorating weather situation and its potential impact on the electricity network. While snow and ice does not normally cause significant damage to the electricity network, the blizzard like conditions from 4pm today, along with forecasted high winds have the potential to cause some damage.
ESB Networks has said it is continuing to monitor the deteriorating weather situation and its potential impact on the electricity network.
While snow and ice does not normally cause significant damage to the electricity network, the blizzard like conditions from 4pm today, along with forecasted high winds have the potential to cause some damage.
Currently the number of faults are less than usual for this time of the year and ESB Networks crews have been responding to and repairing these.
Faults
ESB Networks will be observing the advice of the NECG for the period of the red alert (4pm today to noon Friday).
However should faults occur, our crews will be standby to make the network safe if necessary and to carry out any repairs once it is safe to do so.
Emergencies
Report all emergencies such as fallen wires to 1850 372 999.
In the event of power outages, crews from ESB Networks will be dispatched to the affected areas without electricity supply, however, only when it is deemed safe to do so.
Their first priority will be to make the electricity network safe and assess the damage, so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible.
Heavy snow may impede access to damaged infrastructure, so outages may take longer than usual to repair.
Safety warning: low-hanging or fallen wires
Snow and ice can damage the electricity network by causing electricity wires to hang low or even fall.
These wires will still be live and are extremely dangerous.
Never ever approach or touch electricity network wires under any circumstances.
Snow may also cause trees and branches to fall across or lean onto electricity lines.
Do not approach or touch any fallen wires or the tree or branch that they are touching. Please report these dangerous situations immediately by calling 1850 372 999.
Power cut
Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 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.Precautions
Have plenty of food and water available.Have torches with spare batteries available.Make sure your phone is charged and, if possible, have a phone charger at hand for your car.
Please check that elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours are prepared to be without electricity.If you have electric gates, please check you know how to work them manually.Power outages and restoration
Information on power outages and restoration times are available on: www.esbpowercheck.ie or on the PowerCheck app for iPhone and Android devices.
If your fault is not showing on Powercheck please report it at https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/report-a-power-outage.
Customers should have their MPRN available in order to log the fault and to access information on restoration times specific to their location.
If you have no internet access please call 1850 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.
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