ESB says it is well prepared for coming snow

ESB Networks is preparing for the forecast of snow and freezing temperatures for this week issued by Met Éireann. Damage may occur to the electricit y net work and ESB Networks has a full emergency response in place to address any power outages.

The electricit y net work is built, and continually upgraded, to withstand event s such as these, but ex treme weather, heav y snowfalls and freezing temperatures can af fect underground and overhead electricit y cables and wires.

All planned repair outages have been cancelled for this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and will be rescheduled at a l ater date.

Snow and ice can damage the electricit y net work by causing electricit y wires to hang low or even fall. These wires will still be li ve and are ex tremely dangerous.

The public is advised to never approach or touch electricit y net work wires under any circumstances. Snow may al so cause trees and branches to fall across or lean onto electricit y lines.

“In the event of power outages, crews from ESB Networks will be dispatched to the af fected areas without electricit y supply, making the electricit y net work safe and assessing the damage, so that they can restore power as quickly and ef fectively as possible. Heav y snows may impede access to damaged infrastructure, so outages may t ake longer than usual to repair,” said a spokesperson.