ESB Power Outage in Ireland: Check, Report & What to Do
Last updated: 9 May 2026
If your power is out, the fastest way to get answers is the ESB Networks PowerCheck map. It shows live faults, planned outages, and an estimated restoration time for your area. To report a new power cut or a fallen line, ring ESB Networks on 1800 372 999.
This guide walks through every step: checking the map, reporting a fault, what to do during the blackout, when to claim for damaged appliances, and how to register as a vulnerable customer so you are prioritised next time.
Quick Answer
To check an ESB power outage, open the PowerCheck map at powercheck.esbnetworks.ie and enter your Eircode or MPRN. To report an outage or a fallen line, call ESB Networks on 1800 372 999 (24/7). Most unplanned faults are restored within 1–3 hours; storm-related outages can take longer.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
How to check an ESB power outage in your area
ESB Networks (the company that owns and maintains the electricity grid in Ireland) runs the PowerCheck service. It is the single source of truth for outages, whether you are with Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, SSE Airtricity, Energia, Pinergy, Flogas, or any other electricity supplier. Your supplier handles billing. ESB Networks handles the wires.
Three ways to check
- PowerCheck map at powercheck.esbnetworks.ie. Enter your Eircode or MPRN to see the fault status and estimated restoration time.
- ESB Networks app (iOS and Android). Same data as the map, with push notifications when your area is affected.
- Phone. Ring 1800 372 999 24/7 and an agent can confirm the status and ETR for your location.
If the map shows no fault but your power is out, the issue may be inside your home (a tripped RCD, a blown main fuse, or a meter problem). Check your fuseboard first before reporting.
How to report an ESB power outage
Always report a new fault, even if you assume someone else already has. Each report helps ESB Networks pinpoint the affected stretch of network.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Power is out, no obvious damage | Check fuseboard. Check PowerCheck map. If no listed fault, ring 1800 372 999. |
| Fallen power line | Ring 1800 372 999 immediately. Do not approach. Stay at least 20 metres back and keep others away. |
| Lights flickering or dimming | Often a fault on a single phase. Report on 1800 372 999 so ESB can balance the supply. |
| Sparks, smoke or burning smell from a pole or cabinet | Ring 1800 372 999 and 999 if there is fire risk. |
| Damaged meter inside your home | Ring 1800 372 999. Only ESB Networks (not your supplier) is allowed to touch the meter. |
| Planned outage you forgot about | Check the PowerCheck map for the scheduled end time. No need to call. |
The number 1800 372 999 is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is free to call from any Irish phone.
What causes ESB power outages in Ireland?
Outages fall into two categories: planned and unplanned. ESB Networks publishes planned outages on the PowerCheck map at least 48 hours in advance and posts a card through the door of affected homes.
Severe weather
The single biggest cause of unplanned outages in Ireland. Storms bring down trees onto overhead lines, and high winds damage poles and transformers. Storms Éowyn (Jan 2025), Darragh (Dec 2024), and Ophelia (Oct 2017) each left hundreds of thousands of homes without power for days.
Fallen trees and branches
Even outside named storms, vegetation contact is a constant cause. ESB Networks runs an ongoing tree-cutting programme in tree-fall corridors.
Vehicle accidents
Cars hitting ESB poles trigger localised outages affecting anything from a few houses to a small village.
Equipment failure
Transformers, fuses, and underground cables fail occasionally. These are usually short outages because ESB can re-route supply through the meshed network.
Animal contact
Birds and squirrels on overhead lines and substations cause brief outages, often resolved automatically by line reclosers within seconds.
Planned maintenance
Required for upgrades, new connections, and safety work. Posted in advance, usually scheduled during the working day, typically 4–6 hours.
How long does an ESB power outage last?
The PowerCheck map shows an Estimated Time of Restoration (ETR) for every active fault. This is a real engineering estimate, updated as crews assess the damage. Typical durations:
| Outage type | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Auto-recloser (animal, branch contact) | Seconds to a few minutes |
| Single-line urban fault | 1–3 hours |
| Rural fault, single feeder | 2–6 hours |
| Planned maintenance | 4–6 hours (advertised in advance) |
| Storm, minor | 4–24 hours |
| Storm, major (Red weather) | 24 hours to several days |
During a major storm, ETRs are often pushed back as more damage is found. ESB prioritises restoration in this order: hospitals and critical infrastructure first, then largest groups of affected customers, then smaller pockets and individual homes. Single-property faults at the end of long rural feeders are usually the last to be restored.
What to do during a power cut
A power cut in Ireland is usually short, but a few quick steps protect your appliances and food and keep everyone safe until the supply is back.
Switch off sensitive appliances
Unplug the TV, computer, microwave, oven, and anything with electronics. When power returns, voltage spikes can damage them. Leave one light on so you know when supply is back.
Keep the fridge and freezer closed
An unopened fridge holds safe temperature for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds for 24–48 hours. Open it only if you must, and only briefly.
Use torches, not candles
Candles cause house fires every storm in Ireland. Use a torch, a head-torch, or a battery lantern instead. Most smartphones have a torch built in.
Save your phone battery
Drop screen brightness, turn on low-power mode, and avoid streaming. A power bank or a USB cable in the car will keep your phone alive long enough to get updates.
Check on neighbours
Particularly older neighbours, anyone with medical equipment, and households with young children. Even a short check-in matters in cold weather.
Stay warm
Close internal doors to trap heat. Wear layers. If you have a stove or open fire, this is what it is for. Avoid using a gas hob for heat. It consumes oxygen.
Most outages are short. If yours stretches past 12 hours and you have a vulnerable family member, contact ESB Networks on 1800 372 999 for an updated ETR and ask about welfare support.
Power outage safety: what NOT to do
“Always assume fallen electricity wires are live. Stay well back, keep others away and report immediately to ESB Networks on 1800 372 999.”
Never approach a fallen power line
Stay at least 20 metres away. Assume every fallen line is live. Ring 1800 372 999 immediately and keep people and animals back. Even a wet road or a metal fence near a downed line can carry a lethal charge.
Never run a petrol or diesel generator indoors
Carbon monoxide is invisible, odourless, and kills within minutes. Generators must run outdoors, well away from open windows and doors. This includes garages and conservatories.
Never plug a generator into a wall socket
This is called “backfeeding”. It pushes electricity back into the grid, which can electrocute the ESB engineers working to restore your supply. A licensed electrician must install a transfer switch if you want a whole-house generator.
Avoid candles where possible
If you must use one, place it in a deep glass holder, away from curtains, paper, and pets, and never leave it unattended. A torch is always safer.
Do not open the freezer to check
Every time you open it, you lose hours of safe-temperature time. Trust it, leave it closed.
Vulnerable customer registration
If you or someone in your household depends on electrically powered medical equipment (oxygen concentrator, dialysis, nebuliser, electric hoist, stairlift), you should be on the Vulnerable Customer Register. Registration is free and gives you:
- Priority restoration during widespread outages
- A direct phone line for outage updates
- Advance notice of any planned outage on your line
- Welfare contact during prolonged events
You register through your electricity supplier (Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, SSE Airtricity, Energia, etc.), who passes the details to ESB Networks. There are two categories: medically vulnerable (priority) and special services (advance notice only). Full details and the application form are on the ESB Networks vulnerable customers page.
The register is also worth setting up for elderly relatives living alone. It costs nothing and is one of the few cases where the system works in your favour during a major storm.
Claiming for damaged appliances
If a power surge or unplanned outage damaged an appliance, you can file a claim with ESB Networks. The bar is high: ESB will only pay out if there was clear negligence (for example, a fault they had been notified about and failed to act on). For most weather-related events, your home insurance is the right route.
Steps to file a claim
- Photograph the damaged item and keep the receipt or proof of purchase.
- Note the exact date and time of the outage. Cross-check against the PowerCheck history.
- Get a written diagnosis from a repair technician confirming the cause was a voltage event.
- Submit a claim through ESB Networks contact form or by post.
- In parallel, lodge a claim with your home insurer. Accidental damage cover usually applies.
Surge protectors on expensive electronics (TV, computer, fridge-freezer) cost €15–€40 and prevent most voltage-spike damage in the first place.
Will solar panels work during a power outage?
No, not by default. A standard grid-tied solar PV system in Ireland shuts off automatically the moment the grid goes down. This is called anti-islanding and it is required by the ESB Networks connection rules: it stops your panels feeding electricity back into a dead line and electrocuting the engineers fixing the fault.
To keep the lights on during an outage, you need a battery with a backup function (sometimes labelled EPS, Emergency Power Supply, or backup gateway). The hybrid inverter isolates your home from the grid and runs essential circuits from the battery, topped up by the panels during daylight. Not every battery has this. Ask the installer specifically. When the grid is back, surplus solar is exported again under the microgeneration scheme.
Thinking about solar with backup?
A 5kWh battery with backup capability adds roughly €3,000–€6,000 on top of a standard solar install, but keeps fridges, lights, broadband, and a kettle running through a typical outage. For many rural homes that lose power regularly, it is the deciding factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number do I call to report an ESB power outage?
Ring ESB Networks on 1800 372 999. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the call is free from any Irish phone. Use this number for any electricity fault: power cuts, fallen lines, sparking equipment, or damaged meters. Your electricity supplier (Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, etc.) does not handle outages, only billing.
How do I check if there is an ESB power outage in my area?
Open the ESB Networks PowerCheck map at powercheck.esbnetworks.ie and enter your Eircode or MPRN. The map shows live faults, planned outages, and an estimated restoration time. The ESB Networks app gives the same data with push notifications. If neither shows a fault but your power is out, the issue is likely inside your home. Check your fuseboard.
How long do ESB outages typically last?
Most unplanned outages are restored within 1–3 hours. Rural single-feeder faults can take 2–6 hours. Planned maintenance is typically 4–6 hours and is advertised in advance. During major storms, restoration can take 24 hours to several days, with the most isolated homes usually the last to come back online.
Why is my power out when no neighbours are affected?
The fault is probably inside your home, not on the grid. Check your fuseboard for a tripped RCD (residual current device) or main switch. If the trip will not reset, an appliance may be faulty. Unplug everything, reset the trip, then plug things back in one by one. If the main fuse below the meter has blown, only ESB Networks can replace it. Ring 1800 372 999.
Will my solar panels keep working during an ESB outage?
No, not unless you have a battery with backup capability. Standard grid-tied solar systems shut off automatically during a power cut for safety reasons (anti-islanding). To keep essentials running through an outage you need a hybrid inverter with EPS (Emergency Power Supply) and a battery rated for backup. Adds roughly €3,000–€6,000 on top of a standard install.
Can I claim compensation for food spoiled during a power outage?
ESB Networks rarely compensates for food spoilage, as outages are generally treated as force majeure. Your home insurance is the better route. Most contents policies cover freezer contents up to €500–€1,000. Keep receipts, photograph the spoiled food, and lodge the claim with your insurer.
What is a vulnerable customer and how do I register?
A vulnerable customer is a household where someone depends on electrically powered medical equipment (oxygen, dialysis, nebuliser, etc.) or has a serious illness aggravated by power loss. You register through your electricity supplier, who notifies ESB Networks. Registered customers get priority restoration, advance notice of planned outages, and a direct welfare line during major events.
Is ESB Networks the same as Electric Ireland?
No. ESB Networks owns and operates the wires, poles, and meters. It is the same for every household regardless of supplier. Electric Ireland is one of about a dozen retail suppliers who buy the electricity wholesale and sell it to consumers. For an outage you call ESB Networks (1800 372 999). For a billing question you call your supplier.
Can I plug a generator into a socket to power my house during an outage?
No. This is called backfeeding and it is dangerous and illegal. It pushes electricity back into the local grid, which can kill the ESB engineers working to restore your supply. If you want a whole-house backup generator, a licensed electrician must install a transfer switch that physically isolates your home from the grid before the generator energises it.
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Sources
- ESB Networks: PowerCheck, powercheck.esbnetworks.ie
- ESB Networks: Vulnerable Customer Services, esbnetworks.ie
- CRU: Network Code, cru.ie
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.