28/08/2012

Substation Vandals Leave 6,000 Properties Without Electricity

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the network company, has strongly condemned the deliberate interference with electricity equipment in the Ballysillan area on Sunday and Monday nights.

Vandals broke into the substation after 11pm on Sunday night, interfering with equipment and leaving over 6,000 properties without power. NIE emergency repair teams responded immediately to restore power to customers and re-secure the substation. While working to restore electricity supplies to all of these properties, NIE’s response vehicle was damaged.

A similar incident occurred on Monday night with vandals using specialised equipment to break the additional security measures installed on the substation gates. This incident left around 4,000 properties without electricity.

In both cases, NIE teams restored electricity to all customers within two hours.

Kevin McDowell, NIE's Safety Manager, said: "Our priority is the safety of the general public and our employees. These vandals are risking their own and other peoples’ lives by breaking into this substation. There is live high voltage equipment inside, and interfering with it can be unforgiving."

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 November 2024
Belfast's Vacant To Vibrant Scheme To Expand Citywide
A successful scheme aimed at transforming vacant properties in Belfast city centre into thriving businesses is set to be extended across the entire city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme has already breathed new life into 26 properties, with another six sites in the pipeline.
10 July 2003
NIE condemns vandalism of substation
Northern Ireland Electricity has condemned the ongoing vandalism to Ballyhenry Substation near Corrs Corner.
18 December 2015
Vandals Attack Electricity Substation In North Belfast
Around 2,500 homes and businesses were left without power after vandals attacked an electricity substation in north Belfast. Equipment was damaged at the substation on the Ballygomartin Road due to a fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately. Emergency teams from NIE Networks restored power to the majority of homes just after 1.
29 April 2003
Electricity substation fire disrupts commuter travel
A fire at an electricity substation during rush hour this morning caused major disruption for road and rail travellers in Belfast. The fire at Hannahstown substation on the Glen Road in west Belfast caused a power failure at around 7am this morning causing problems for commuters as traffic light signals were affected.
27 June 2008
Rathlin's Big 'Switch' Pulled
Rathlin islanders are at last able to enjoy a dependable supply of electricity. Yesterday, NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially switched on a new 10.4km subsea electricity cable which extends from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island.