How to avoid a power cut when the next storm hits

Here's how to ensure your home has a back-up power source in the event of a severe storm hitting the country, similar to the power outages during Storm Éowyn.

Electricity networks are built to withstand strong winds, heavy rain and snow, however severe weather can be destructive and bring down power lines and cause power cuts.

Storm Éowyn brought widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure across Ireland resulting in 768,000 customers losing supply on 24 January, according to ESB.

"This was by far the worst storm experienced by ESB Networks both in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage across the network," ESB said.

In the event of a severe weather warning occurring again, it is advised to be prepared and contact an electrician in advance so that a changeover switch can be added to your house.

This will allow you to plug a generator in and provide a back-up energy source for your household, if the main power lines cut.

A portable generator can also be used in the event of a power outage and oftentimes rely on gas, petrol or diesel to kickstart the process.

ESB Networks has restored supply to 738,000 customers impacted by Storm Éowyn, approx. 30,000 customers remain without power as of 6:00pm (Monday).(1/5) pic.twitter.com/M9zwQ6Pc0P

— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) February 3, 2025

Your generator has five primary parts: an internal combustion engine, an alternator, a starter, a fuel tank, and outlets, according to Popularmechanics.com.

Here's what you need to know about using a portable generator during a power outage:

• Size the generator correctly so that it meets the electrical loads you intend to power with some excess capacity built in. If you undersize the generator, you produce essentially the same condition as a utility “brown out” condition with insufficient voltage. This can damage something as big as a well pump or as small as a computer.

• Use a Transfer Switch: The safest way to use a portable generator for home power backup. The generator connects to the transfer switch with a thick, heavy-duty cable called a “genset cord,” which is plugged into an outlet receptacle installed on the outside of the house. A cable on the inside of the house runs from the outlet to the transfer switch. Electricity from the generator runs through the genset cord, to the receptacle, through interior cable, to the transfer switch and its circuit breakers to the various circuits you need to power–safely.

• 4) Use Heavy-Duty Cords: If you don’t have the money to have a transfer switch installed, you can safely operate appliances plugged directly into the generator. You can power your refrigerator, power tools, and computers (for example) by running long extension cords to the generator. These cords should be heavy-duty and of a thick enough wire gauge to handle the current flowing through them; the cord’s packaging will tell you what electrical load it’s rated to supply. Next, the cords should be rated for exterior use. Finally, you want to run cords in a manner that they won’t be damaged, kinked, or coiled up—particularly while powering a high-wattage device like a heater. Coiled extension cords can get so hot, they can melt.

Electric vehicle owners could have a big advantage during a power outage, by generating electricity stored from their vehicle to power their home. 

EV batteries are by far the most cost-efficient form of energy storage, according to Virta Global, since they require no additional investments in hardware.

If a storm is forecast or weather warnings are issued, here's how you can prepare according to Energy Networks Association:

• Make a plan: know what to do if you have a power cut
• Follow your local network operator on social media so you can find local updates.
• Enter your postcode on PowerCut105.com to find your local network operator.
• Keep a mobile phone fully charged so you can use it to go online for updates or call if you have a power cut.
• Keep a torch handy in case you are without power during the night.
• Have warm clothes, blankets and food which doesn’t need heating accessible.
• Gas boilers and heating, electrical appliances and your home's internet and landline connections will stop working in a power cut. You might also lose mobile phone signal.

If your only way of making emergency calls is through a landline phone, or if you have a telecare kit connected to your landline, contact your landline provider to understand whether your phone will work during a power cut, according to Energy Networks Association.

If your landline will not work during a power cut, your landline provider might offer you a free solution, such as a back-up battery unit, for a minimum of one hour, that would enable you to call the emergency services during a power cut if you needed to.
If you have a personal alarm or diabetes sensor (also known as telecare devices) or other connected equipment monitoring your health (such as diabetes sensors), speak to your device provider/manufacturer to understand how they will function during a power cut.