Businesses frustrated after planned ESB outage never happens

Businesses in Ballygar have been left frustrated after preparing to close for a planned ESB Networks power outage that never went ahead.

Customers in the area were notified in advance that electricity would be switched off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th, affecting 84 local customers. ESB Networks says it normally notifies customers of planned outages at least two days in advance and may also send SMS updates.

Among those affected was Majella Hannon, owner of The Bees Knees Health Store and a pharmacy technician at Ballygar Pharmacy. She said she and other local businesses had planned their day around the expected loss of power.

The Bees Knees Health Store, Ballygar Pharmacy and Medical Hall Pharmacy had announced that they would close for the day. Customers who required refrigerated medication were contacted and told to collect their prescriptions a day early, while deliveries were also rearranged.

“At around 9.30 a.m. my colleague, who lives in the apartment above the pharmacy, gave me a ring and told me that they still had power,” Ms Hannon said.

She said Ballygar Pharmacy had already told its pharmacist, who lives in Leitrim, not to travel. As a pharmacist must be present for the pharmacy to open, he then had to make the journey after it became clear the electricity had not been cut.

“We had forewarned our pharmacist who lives in Leitrim not to come in,” she said.

Ms Hannon contacted the ESB customer care line and said she was told the power would be cut at noon. However, the supply remained on throughout the day.

Local business owners said the incident was particularly frustrating because a similar situation had unfolded on June 24th. 

In a statement, an ESB Networks press officer acknowledged the “inconvenience caused in both instances”.

The company said an “unforeseen issue” meant a contractor was unable to carry out the works as planned on July 15th. Separately, ESB Networks said a fault on the network at the beginning of the June works resulted in that outage being suspended.

The communications department said the planned outage will be rescheduled and customers will be informed in due course.