NIE thanks

A considerable number of people were without electricity, in the surrounding areas of Kilraughts.Armoy.Ballymoney, Cloughmills, Corkey, Glenshesk, and Ballymena ENS were called in by NIE to help out in the restoration and repair of the overhead line network.

Electricity Network Solutions would like to thank all of the local people in these areas that greeted them in their efforts of restoring power to their homes, not once were the staff of ENS met with a hostile reception. And on more than one occasion the lads were met with cups of tea and sandwiches, along with the local people stopping off with the lads and handing over bags of home made scones and buns.

This came as a surprise to a lot of the lads as they travelled over from Scotland and England never before having encountered this type of hospitality on storm damage. This generosity carried on right to the end of the operation Sunday the 4th April.

ENS had staff on contract in NIE these were called into Coleraine 18.30 and were on site within 30mins to assist with the repairs, working along side NIE staff throughout the night. ENS cancelled all planned works in the UK and mobilised all their remaining staff within 24 hrs these lads were met by NIE engineers the following day briefed on the task ahead and set to work at the various locations. The majority of ENS staff are all well experienced in over head line work and all were in agreement that the damage they witnessed was by far some of the worst they had ever seen. In some places there were no poles standing in any direction. And in most of these locations the teams had to rebuild the network from scratch.

Once again ENS would like to thank all of the people in these areas for the kindness and words of encouragement.

David Archer

Operations Manager

Electricity Network Solutions.