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The newspaper for

February / March 2012 www.esb.ie/em

Top marks for Poulaphouca

Page 28

ESB crews rally in wake of storms and hurricanes

WHEN HURRICANE force winds hit the North of Ireland and Scotland early in the New Year, ESB Networks crews found themselves on emergency repair duties at home and abroad. In addition to restoring supply to ESB customers, Networks Technicians also helped make repairs in Northern Ireland and Scotland, following requests for help from NIE, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

While the winter of 2011 was nowhere near as cold as the big freeze of 2010, severe storms and hurricane force winds hit this country and the UK in mid-December and early January. Services to more than 80,000 customers were impacted by the combined forces of Hurricane Friedhelm (known in Scotland as ‘Hurricane Bawbag’) on December 12th, Cyclone Ulli on January 2nd and two lesser storms on December 28th and January 5th, said ESB Networks Distribution and Customer Services Head, John O’Gorman.

By working early in the morning and late in the evening, ESB Network technicians quickly restored power to ESB customers. Staff also volunteered to help return power to thousands of homes in Northern Ireland and Scotland who were affected by Bawbag and Ulli. Paying tribute, John said, “The crews showed extreme professionalism, excellent safety awareness and high levels of motivation. It is during fault response work like this that the true character and spirit of ESB Networks staff comes to the fore”.

Continued on page 16

A fond farewell

Page 03

Olympics 2012

SERVICES & ELECTRIC IRELAND

Page 13

ESB Networks Training Centre

ESB NETWORKS LTD

Page 18

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