Contractor damage cuts power in Coleraine

Damage to a high voltage underground cable affected electricity supplies to 1,779 customers at 4.44pm. The affected customers were in Coleraine town and around the hospital area.

Northern Ireland Electricity emergency repair teams responded immediately to assess the damage and begin repairs.

Customers had power restored in groups with 380 back on electricity supply within an hour, 271 by 7.13pm and the remaining customers had power restored by 8.24. Repair teams worked until early Sunday morning to complete the final repairs to the cable.

Natasha McGee, NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area said, “We are pleased that we were able to restore electricity to the vast majority of homes and businesses in around three hours.

“However, it is disappointing that customers in this area have been inconvenienced as a result of this incident. For safety reasons, contractors working close to electricity cables should be following proper procedures to prevent damage to the network and risk to themselves from electric shock.”

Contact NIE on 08457 643 643 or check the NIE website for additional safety advice www.niesafety.co.uk.