9 Dec 2024
NIE Networks is expecting all those who have been impacted by power cuts following Storm Darragh to be back on supply by early tomorrow morning.
Less than 500 customers remain without power with crews working through the night to draw the restoration efforts to a close.
Alex Houston, Network Operations Manager, said: “Our crews are determined to get everyone back on supply by tomorrow morning. There are around 15 customers where the repairs are more complex and will take us a bit more time but we have offered generators to those customers so that everyone will have electricity again in the morning.”
In total 95,000 customers were impacted by power cuts following Storm Darragh which brought sustained high winds of 60-70mph.
Alex continued: “This has been a mammoth effort and I want to pay huge tribute to our employees who responded in huge numbers and particularly to those crews out in the field who braved terrible conditions at the start of the restoration efforts. Our contracting partners in overhead lines, tree cutting and plant hire, statutory agencies and the Red Cross have also supported us and we’re very grateful to them for their assistance.”
The company has advised that some circuits will require permanent repairs to be put in place which will mean short periods of disconnection to allow this to be carried out safely.
Alex concluded: “I would like to thank the public for their patience as our crews worked their way through the faults. We may have some permanent repairs to conclude in some areas but these will be for a short duration to allow the engineers to work safely.”
As one of the worst storms experienced in recent years, NIE Networks had established community assistance centres in the worst affected areas and today put approximately 150 employees on the ground to offer practical support to those still impacted.
Anyone who requires further assistance or who believes they may need to report a power cut is advised to call NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643 or report online at Powercheck NI.