French are drafted in by ESB to help restore power supplies

THE ESB has recruited French staff to help to restore power to the thousands of homes across West Cork still without electricity.

On Wednesday evening, a small number of staff from French utility company EDF flew into Cork Airport to assist in the operations. More are due over the weekend. 

A spokesperson for ESB Networks said that it is expected that the majority of the remaining customers will have their power restored in three to four days, but warned some customers in isolated pockets may not be restored until next Tuesday.

‘All available resources from ESB Networks are being deployed to carry out repairs to the network and restore power. 

‘Crews from less impacted parts of the country are now on site in southern counties assisting colleagues in the worst impacted areas,’ said the spokesperson.

Cork was by far the worst hit county, when the aftermath of Storm Ophelia was assessed on Tuesday morning.

Those still affected by the power outages are being asked to check the PowerCheck app and website to get estimated restoration times. 

‘Having assessed the extent of damage to the network in the given area, these times are the best available estimation by our engineers and network technicians of when electricity supply will be restored. It is an estimated timeframe and is subject to ongoing reviews and change.’

Tree contractors across West Cork have also been employed by ESB Networks to cut and clear the numerous trees that have fallen on roads across the region, with one operator from Bandon telling The Southern Star that all his staff were being deployed to help in the operation since Storm Ophelia hit the region on Monday.

See www.powercheck.ie for updated restoration times.