Wexford homes experienced an 18 per cent increase in power outages in 2024
There were 64,754 power cuts across Ireland in 2024, both planned and unplanned outages. This is a 22 per cent increase on 2023 where there were 53,067 power cuts. Between 2021 and 2024, residents have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of power cuts, both planned and unplanned, across Ireland.
She highlighted that some areas across Ireland seem more prone to power cuts than others. Enniscorthy had 2,507 power cuts in 2024, compared to Limerick which only had 737 power cuts in 2024. Sligo had 3,211 power cuts in 2024, up from 1,973 in 2021.
ESB Networks also provided MEP Ní Mhurchú with a breakdown of the reasons for the power cuts which included bird strikes, weather issues, lightening, overhead refurbishment, overloading, and corrosion.
Of more concern was the large increase in power cuts which were attributed to 'defective equipment.'
Ní Mhurchú has called on ESB Networks to clarify why there is a 22 per cent jump in power outages across the country between 2023 and 2024. She has also called for a new system of compensation for householders and small businesses for outages lasting more than 12 hours.
She also said that customers should not be charged for standing charges and levies when the power it out.
'My worry is that ESB Networks may be trying to cut costs by not investing in our electricity infrastructure to the extent that they should be. Power cuts have an enormous impact on families, in particular as many homes are now passive homes that depend on heat pumps and don't have open fires or stoves."
Ní Mhurchú has described the dramatic increase in the number of power outages as requiring an explanation from ESB Networks, a profitable company that should be prioritising increased investment in the electricity grid.
'Customers deserve an explanation as to why they are facing more power cuts when they are paying the second highest electricity prices in Europe. The least Irish customers deserve is more investment in the infrastructure that delivers that electricity.'
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Back in our 2007 report on Glenora's re-offer and bids at €1.35m/€1.45m, we noted the sale of up to 14 new builds t Mont Oval Village at c €1.2 million and also included comments from estate agents that there seemed to be up to 20 would-be buyers in the Cork market with €2m to spend. Shades of 2007 again here now in the mid 2020s: the upper end of the Cork market has of late seen seen over a dozen new homes sell for over €1m in locations like the Model Farm Road at Vailima and Merton, at Orchard Road's Ecklinville and at Hettfyfield, Douglas, while the market up to and over €2m once more is strong for older, pre-owned stock. 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There's now a choice of up to four ground floor bedrooms (two are en suite) plus two good-sized dormer first floor level ones, each with good en suites and the builder Richard McCoy also added four feature dome-topped green copper-clad dormer windows while doing the first floor, which added c 600 sq ft to the original Glenora's floor area. It's got great living areas too at ground, with a bright kitchen/dining room with overhead domed rooflights, and the utility also has a roof light, with guest WC off, whilst the main family bathroom has a raised bath with solid timber surround. Separately, there's a den/library with French doors to the mature, and private landscaped back garden (done by Frances Collins), but the piece de resistance is the large, party sized main reception room with white marble fire surround and seating area, along with twin sets of French doors (done by Munster Joinery) to the garden/patio. 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