ESB meeting to discuss power cuts on Árainn Mhór

The Development Co-Op held a meeting with representatives from the ESB on Tuesday 5th March to discuss the recent spate of power cuts on the island. Suggestions were made by the development co-op as to how the service to the island could be improved:

• A review of recent power outages was discussed and recent work carried out by ESB was outlined.
• Put a preventative maintenance/inspection schedule in place to spot problems before they arise. A maintenance program is planned for the coming summer which will take an estimated 10 days to complete during which the supply will have to be turned off. (The co-op is to find out from islanders the best time to carry out the maintenance program and how the 10 days should be broken up). The last routine maintenance program was carried out approx. 15 years ago.
• Store basic inventory/mobile workshop on the island to reduce dependence on ferry service in bad weather.
• Establish an emergency contingency plan procedure in conjunction with a local person so that responses to power cuts can be carried out as quickly as possible.
• Put cables in very exposed locations underground e.g. any place with repeated damage to lines such as at Aphort or the lighthouse spur.
• Provide a pool of small domestic generators which would be available to islanders who are dependant on medical equipment in the event of an extended power cut.
• Street lighting. Money was allocated for the provision of 24 additional street lights almost two years ago and 3 lights for Aphort slipway last year. The ESB was asked why they have not been erected. In addition, the new lights at the ferry pier breakwater were never connected. They were asked why.

The co-op are awaiting a reply to the various points raised.