Network Renewal put to the test
The weather over the Christmas and New Year period proved a stern test for the Network Renewal programme. Storms reckoned to be some of the most severe in several years lashed the country with winds gusting up to 140kmh and lightning affecting power supplies to thousands of customers across Ireland.
The weather since September has been windier than previous years and ESB Networks crews have been busy keeping power supplied across the country. The worst storm of the winter swept into the country on New Year's Eve causing a loss of power to approximately 30,000 customers at its height. Sustained lightning across the midlands compounded the problems for the crews. The ESB Networks crews worked late into the night ensuring as many customers as possible would welcome the New Year in with power
The North West of the country received the worst of the weather with two faults on the 38kV network blacking out power to most of West Donegal, the Inishowen peninsula was also affected for a time on New Year's Eve. Painstaking work, faultfinding and switching saw power restored on one of the lines just before midnight allowing many customers to enjoy a warm and bright beginning to the New Year.
Met Eireann confirmed that the highest wind speed of the storm was recorded in Donegal and that the ferocity of the wind was second only to the infamous storm of the Millennium New Year. In excess of 1,000 customers were without power overnight but crews restored power to all areas by mid afternoon January 1st.
Within a fortnight another severe storm came in across Ireland on Thursday 18th of January. High winds and lightning swept into the west of the country and travelled quickly across land before travelling on to the UK and mainland Europe. The worst affected areas during this storm were the North West and East of the country. ESB Network crews worked throughout the day restoring power in the wake of the storm. Several hundred customers in counties Louth and Meath were without power overnight but had power restored by lunchtime on Friday. This particular storm left up to twenty people dead across Europe and caused power cuts to thousands of customers right across Northern Europe.
John Shine, Executive Director ESB Networks, has praised the work of all those involved in work during and following the storms. "The recent weather has seen prolonged winds and storms; our networks have withstood these events better than previously. This is a testament to the work of everyone involved both in Network Renewal and power restoration."
