Christmas storms caused 10 times more power outages than normal

ESB Networks have said that their networks and supply lines were hit by 10 times as many faults and outages during December 26-27 as would normally happen in a storm.

Christmas storms caused 10 times more power outages than normal

ESB Networks have said that their networks and supply lines were hit by 10 times as many faults and outages during December 26-27 as would normally happen in a storm.

Emergency repair crews are battling to fix more than 970 faults on electricity power lines which have left 5,000 homes and businesses without power following the Christmas storms.

The south and south west of the country remain the worst hit areas with Bandon, Co Cork, Killarney and Tralee in Co Kerry, parts of Galway, Ennis, Co Clare and Newcastle West, Co Limerick, suffering continued black outs.

ESB Networks said crews have been dispatched from less affected regions to these areas to get power supplies back up.

The company said power was restored to about 65,000 customers after repair teams worked from early yesterday morning into the night.

“In situations where storms have caused extensive damage to the electricity networks across the country, fixing the smaller more localised faults can be frustratingly slow for both customers and network technicians,” the company said in its latest update.

“Today will be a difficult and long day, with an average of eight customers per fault. Progress will be frustratingly slow for the effort expended.”

The ESB said many of the faults were caused by falling trees and branches which must be cut and removed before faults can be repaired and supply restored. It reported some new faults overnight.

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