Tag Archives: electricity

THE latest fundraising initiative by Ennis Lions Club aims to fuel support for vulnerable local families who are facing the desperate choice between being able to pay for food or heat their homes. With homes across the country benefiting from the government’s €200 energy credit the Lions Club is urging those who do not need the payment to donate it towards supporting families in need. The local chapter has launched its aptly named PHEW (Poverty, Help, Energy, Waiver) appeal to bring relief to struggling families coping with rising fuel costs. Tommy Murphy of Ennis Lions Club explains that while many people welcome the €200 rebate and it will give short-term relief for increasing costs, a lot of families do not need the payment. The Lions Club in Ennis is supporting up to 50 families locally and sees first-hand the effect that fuel poverty is having. The group hopes that those who do not need all, or even some, of the …

ESB Networks have now restored power all over the county following Hurricane Ophelia. On Monday some 6,700 customers lost power as a result of the strong winds. At the time there were fears that people could be left without power for very long spells but those proved unfounded, and many people had electricity again within hours. By Wednesday afternoon only 70 customers were still without electricity, and those have now had it restored. A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Clare, the rest of Munster and a number of Leinster counties today. There is also a status yellow warning in place for Saturday, with high winds expected, but conditions are very unlikely to be as bad as on Monday.

With a massive increase in domestic electricity use over Christmas, together with the risk of fallen wires in winter conditions, ESB Networks has advised people to be safety conscious. “In the home make sure your own electrical system is safe. Check that your safety trip switch – called a Residual Current Device (RCD) – works by pushing the test button and that there are no damaged plug tops or frayed wires. If in any doubt, get in touch with a registered electrician. When it comes to the overhead wires and poles that ESB Networks uses to supply electricity to everyone, remember that these poles and wires are live and dangerous and should never to be used for anything else. Here are a few simple safety tips from ESB Networks for the home around Christmas time,” a spokesman said. While the weather during winter 2016 has so far been relatively benign, ESB Networks are reminding people to never approach or touch …

Terra Solar, which is leading the development of solar energy generation in Clare, has submitted additional information to Clare County Council in relation to its application to build the county’s first solar farm at Cratloe. Following a request for additional information from the council’s planning department, Terra Solar engaged independent experts and undertook additional surveys of the Ballymorris site in order to ensure that council planners and residents could be assured on all aspects of the proposed development. “We have carefully chosen the site at Ballymorris and have designed our solar farm so as to have minimal impact on the environment and on the local community. We are pleased to provide this additional information to Clare County Council and it is important that the general public also take the opportunity to understand our proposals”, said Donal Fewer, Project Director, Terra Solar. “We will continue to work with the council and local residents as we seek to develop solar energy generation …

Over 1,500 homes and businesses are currently affected by a power outage in Ennis. The fault occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon and is affecting supply to home and businesses on the Tulla and Gort Roads, as well as in Francis Street and other nearby areas. ESB  crews are working to resolve the issue and expect to have power restored to all premises later this evening.

Plans have been unveiled for the development of six solar farms, which could result in €30 million renewable energy investment in the county over the coming years. County Clare could become a leading generator of solar powered energy with the announcement that the county’s first solar farm is to be located at Ballymorris in Cratloe, just off the N18 Ennis-Limerick road. The 12.4 hectare solar farm will be connected to the national grid and will generate enough electricity to power 1,200 homes over a 25-year period. Following a number of pre-planning meetings with the local authority, Terra Solar will lodge its first planning application to develop a solar farm at its Ballymorris site in the coming weeks. The company has selected six sites that all share certain common characteristics and have applied in each case for grid connection to ESB Networks. Requiring an investment of €5 million apiece, the six sites in the Shannon area will provide enough electricity to …

Over 2,000 homes and businesses were left without power after Storm Jake ripped through the county overnight and into early today (Wednesday). Wind gusts exceeding 110kmh and a series of severe thunderstorms affected the county as a result of Storm Jake and Kilmaley and Miltown Malbay were among the worst affected areas, with almost 1,000 properties left without electricity. ESB Networks said it expected power to be restored to all locations by this evening. Outages were also reported in Bellbharbour, Cofirin, Cratloe, Lissycasey, Kilshanny, Inagh, Quilty and Coore.

All electricity customers have been warned to be extra vigilant as flooding begins to recede. ESB Networks reminds members of the public and emergency services to exercise particular care when moving around flooded areas in boats and other flotation vehicles. “The electricity network is designed to have ample clearance for access and egress during normal conditions. However, when areas are flooded, this clearance level may be affected. The electricity network is live and should not be approached. Electricity wires are dangerous and, even at close proximity and where clearance is compromised, you should not pass under them. “If you see any sagging electricity wires or wires submerged in water, please do not steer your boat over these. Do not use oars or anything else to lift or move electricity wires,” Arthur Byrne, safety manager, said.”Please report any poor clearance issues immediately to ESB Network at 1850 372 999.” ESB Networks is currently assessing the electricity network in flooded areas to …