Ireland’s electricity network, particularly in the West and rural areas, has long been a source of frustration and concern for residents & businesses alike. Despite the critical role electricity plays in modern life, and how the green agenda will and is play a huge part of our lives going forward the infrastructure in these regions remains fragile, outdated, and ill-equipped to handle even moderate weather events. The recent Storm Éowyn, which caused widespread outages over 700,000 properties affected, has once again exposed the vulnerabilities of the network and raised serious questions about the priorities of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and its investment strategies.

The Fragile State of Rural Infrastructure

In the West of Ireland and other rural areas, the electricity network is plagued by obsolete and outdated components that are no longer used in more heavily populated regions. Many of the transformers, poles, and lines in these areas date back decades, with some equipment still in use long past its intended lifespan. This aging infrastructure is not only inefficient but also highly susceptible to repetitive damage from environmental factors such as what we have recently been subjected too, to heavy rain, wind, and even minor storms.

The disparity between urban and rural infrastructure is stark. While cities like Dublin and Cork benefit from modernized grids and proactive maintenance, rural communities are left to contend with frequent outages and prolonged restoration times. This inequality highlights a systemic issue within the ESB: a lack of investment in rural areas, where the population density is lower but the need for reliable electricity is just as critical now and into the future.

ESB’s Profit Model and Investment Disparities

The ESB, a semi-state company, operates as a commercial entity, generating significant profits year after year. In 2022 alone, the ESB reported a profit of €679 million, a testament to its financial strength. However, these profits have not been evenly reinvested across the country. Over the past decade, the distribution of investment has been heavily skewed toward urban centres, leaving rural areas underfunded and underserved.

According to available data, the ESB’s capital expenditure in the West of Ireland has lagged far behind other provinces. For example, between 2013 and 2023, the ESB invested approximately €1.2 billion in Leinster, compared to just €400 million in Connacht. This disparity is even more pronounced when considering the unique challenges faced by rural areas, such as longer distances between households, difficult terrain, and exposure to harsh weather conditions.

The ESB’s profit-driven model prioritizes areas with higher population densities, where the return on investment is greater. While this approach may make business sense, it neglects the fundamental responsibility of ensuring equitable access to reliable electricity for all citizens, regardless of where they live.

Lessons from Storm Éowyn

The recent record breaking Storm Éowyn, which swept across Ireland, underscored the fragility of the rural electricity network. The already saturated ground led to fallen trees, poles breaking and damaged power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without electricity for days.

The storm has exposed the consequences of decades of underinvestment and neglect, as well as the urgent need for modernization.

A Path Forward

The lessons from Storm Éowyn are clear: Ireland’s electricity network, particularly in rural areas, is in desperate need of an overhaul from cables to poles. The ESB must shift its focus from profit maximization to long-term infrastructure resilience. This includes:

1. Increased Investment in Rural Areas: The ESB must commit to a significant increase in capital expenditure for the West and other rural regions. This investment should focus on replacing outdated equipment, reinforcing power lines, and improving overall grid resilience.
2. Adoption of Modern Technologies: The ESB should explore innovative solutions such as underground cabling, smart grids, and renewable energy integration. These technologies can reduce the vulnerability of the network to weather-related damage and improve efficiency.
3. Proactive Maintenance and Preparedness: Regular maintenance and proactive measures, such as pole & cable replacement, tree trimming and flood mitigation, can prevent many of the issues that lead to outages. The ESB should also enhance its emergency response capabilities to minimize downtime during storms.
4. Policy and Regulatory Support: The Irish government must play a more active role in holding the ESB accountable and ensuring that rural communities are not left behind. This could include setting minimum investment thresholds for rural areas and providing incentives for infrastructure modernization.

Conclusion

The fragility of Ireland’s electricity network, particularly in the West and rural areas is clear too see and, is the symptom of systemic neglect and underinvestment. The ESB’s profit-driven approach has left these regions even more vulnerable to weather events, as demonstrated by the outages caused by Storm Éowyn. While the ESB has the financial resources to address these issues, it has consistently ignored the issues of rural areas over urban ones.

The time has come for a fundamental shift in how Ireland’s electricity network is managed and maintained. By investing in modern infrastructure, adopting new technologies, and prioritizing resilience, the ESB can ensure that all citizens, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable and sustainable electricity.

The lessons of Storm Éowyn must not be ignored; they are a call to action for a more equitable and resilient future.