Transformer fault the cause of major Inishowen power outage

A fault at an ESB Networks transformer has been blamed for a major power outage that left 6,500 customers in Buncrana and across south Inishowen without power on Tuesday morning.

The fault was reported at 10.15am with ESB Networks initially estimating a restoration time of 11.15. A spokesman for ESB Networks said 6,500 customers were impacted. Half of those had power restored “relatively quickly” with the remaining 2,800 restored at around 1pm.

The utility said the outage was caused by a transformer fault at the medium voltage station feeding Buncrana and that crews were mobilised immediately.

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“It is envisaged that an ESB Networks team will repair the transformer at the substation in the coming days,” ESB Networks said in a statement. 

The power outage affected Buncrana, including the town’s Main Street,  and other areas of south Inishowen.

Buncrana councillor Jack Murray said he was contacted by people in Muff and Quigley’s Point who were affected by the outage.

He said the power outage was “a major inconvenience” that was very widespread and affected a number of schools and many businesses.

“We have to accept that it was an unforeseen problem and ESB staff worked as quickly as possible to get power restored and thankfully it was not any longer than maybe it could have been.”