Final figures released on power network damage

An analysis of the statistics demonstrates the damage caused by the Easter snow and ice storm. In total, 1,141 individual faults had to be repaired and 125 kilometres of overhead line rebuilt across Northern Ireland. This is the equivalent of constructing a line from Belfast to Londonderry in five days.

In the Ballymena area there were 150 faults affecting some 21,531 customers while in the Coleraine area there were 162 faults affecting 19,373 customers.

Due to the extreme circumstances and the quick and comprehensive restoration efforts undertaken by Northern Ireland Electricity, the Utility Regulator has agreed an exemption on its regulated framework of customer standards for this extreme weather event. The company is therefore not required to make payments to customers however it has offered to pay goodwill to anyone still without electricity on Easter Sunday. These customers will receive a letter within the next week to confirm this and payments by cheque will follow automatically. NIE will be paying almost 100,000 in goodwill payments.

NIE will also be making donations to voluntary groups who were an integral part of efforts to support members of the local community during the event.