Residents and businesses in Northern Ireland will soon experience planned power outages as part of an extensive £250 million upgrade to the electricity network. This ambitious project, described by Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE) as a “once in a generation” overhaul, aims to replace aging infrastructure built primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, including poles, cables, and overhead lines. The total length of the network is so extensive that it could stretch across the globe from Belfast to Perth, Australia.
The primary goal of this upgrade is to establish a more reliable and resilient electricity supply for current and future customers, providing quicker access and increased capacity. Derek Hynes, the Managing Director at NIE Networks, indicated that the power interruptions could last for five or six hours at a time, but customers would only face such disruptions roughly once every couple of years, with at least two weeks’ notice prior to any planned outages.
To mitigate the disruption, NIE Networks has promised to implement strategies such as supplying customers from alternative circuits and employing Live Line technology for certain tasks. They are also exploring new methods to avoid cutting power completely, including high and low voltage generation and live pole replacement. Con Feeney, National Programmes Director for NIE Networks, expressed hope that these upgrades would cater to a more robust electricity grid, particularly as the demand for electric vehicles increases.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart characterized the necessary disruption as “short term pain for long term gain.” She emphasized that while investment is needed to modernize the network, including moving wires underground and overhead, customer patience is essential. For any emergencies or issues, individual faults must be reported to various service lines, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and NIE Networks.
This extensive refurbishment of the electricity network signifies a crucial step towards a sustainable and efficient power supply for Northern Ireland’s future.
