ENGINEERS continued to work at pace over the weekend to meet Monday’s deadline of restoring power all homes in Northern Ireland affected by Storm Éowyn.
By Sunday, NIE estimated that around 2,000 customers were still without electricity with power restored to 283,000 properties.
In Newcastle, Co Down, one couple in their late seventies finally had their power restored on Sunday morning.
Although supplied with a generator by a neighbour, they had spent nearly 10 days with limited heating and power.
In Lisbane, an engineer working to repair power lines on Sunday said it had been an exhausting effort, but that everything possible was being done to complete the work by Monday.
Our teams are working hard to restore power following the extensive damage caused by Storm Éowyn. So far, we have restored supply to 283,000 properties, with around 2,000 customers still without power. We have over 1550 staff and contractors escalated to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. This effort involves staff from across the entire company – our call agents answering customer queries on the phone and online, the teams in our control centre coordinating the full response, the media team keeping everyone informed, and the teams in our stores ensuring equipment reaches those on the ground. It’s a massive team effort, and we appreciate your patience as we continue working to get everyone reconnected.
Posted by NIE Networks on Sunday, February 2, 2025
A spokesperson for NIE said: “We have over 1550 staff and contractors escalated to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
“This effort involves staff from across the entire company – our call agents answering customer queries on the phone and online, the teams in our control centre coordinating the full response, the media team keeping everyone informed, and the teams in our stores ensuring equipment reaches those on the ground.
“It’s a massive team effort, and we appreciate your patience as we continue working to get everyone reconnected.”
Last week, the Environment Minister Andrew Muir visited Drum Manor Forest Park in Cookstown- one of many woodlands affected by the storm, with public access greatly reduced over safety concerns.
“It’s truly shocking to see the damage inflicted to our local forests and country parks by the recent storms,” he said.
“Many of our oldest and most precious trees, some over 100 years old have been lost.
“Some of the worst hit forests are Drum Manor, Gosford, Tardree, Tollymore, Castlewellan, Riversdale, Lough Navar, Favour Royal, Fardross, Mullaghafad and Kesh.
“Many forests have greatly reduced public access for public safety reason
Folks the Springwell Road between Groomsport and the High Bangor Road remains blocked due to storm damage. The DfI and NIE are aware and will address the issue.
— Police Ards and North Down (@PSNIArdsNDown) January 31, 2025
Thank you pic.twitter.com/DFuOiHwnKH
s and several facilities remain unavailable.”
The public are advised to check NIDirect or local council websites to check when forests and country parks are accessible to visit again.
