180 premises caught up in power cut

The area affected included Ballymoney Road and Mount Street.

Due to the disruption in supply, and particularly its affect on heating and school meals provision, pupils of St Louis Grammar School were sent home.

Staff at the nearby Housing Executive offices were similarly affected.

A NIHE spokeswoman said that as a result of the power failure, the NIHE office at Twickenham House had no heating or computer system, and staff were permitted to go home mid-morning.

She added that telephone calls were redirected to other NIHE offices and that a skeleton staff remained in the premises to deal with any emergencies.

Natasha McGee, NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area said a fault occurred shortly after 9.30am.

She said: “A fault in the underground electricity network occurred at 9.33 on Monday morning (February 22) leaving around 180 premises in the Ballymoney Road and Mount Street areas of Ballymena without power.

“NIE emergency repair teams were dispatched immediately to locate the fault and begin repairs.

“Power supplies were restored to all customers by 14.10 via generators and repairs to the underground 11,000 volt cable continued into the afternoon.”