Current ESB works will 'future-proof' Kilcullen power needs

The work being carried out by ESB Networks in Kilcullen over recent weeks and including the planned outage on Saturday will 'future-proof' the local system to meet the needs of electric vehicles and increased working from home, writes Brian Byrne.

According to information provided to local TD and Minister of State Martin Heydon, it will also resolve the recent power supply issues which have led to sudden outages in the town.

The work involved replacing conductors that are 60 years old and reaching the end of their life. ESB Networks have been carrying out the replacement over the last two weeks, and the project is scheduled to finish in the second week of April.

There was a significant level of concern when local businesses heard that there would be a power outage on Saturday, the busiest day of the week, but ESB Networks say they had to balance that against the needs of very many people working from home, and who would be impacted by a weekday outage. They are also trying to finish the work before Level 5 restrictions end, because there are fewer businesses open at the moment.

Following discussion, some of the business premises on the main street side of the traffic lights will be accommodated with power during Saturday's outage, from sub-stations in the town.

Unfortunately these do not include Berney Chemists and some other places. But Burkes Chemists and the Centra convenience store on Hillcrest can remain with supply, as they're serviced from a Naas sub-station.

"The existing conductor just doesn't have the capacity to service the needs of Kilcullen," Minister Heydon told the Diary this afternoon. "These works will double the capacity, and I look forward to the power supply issues raised with me over the last six months being resolved with these significant upgrades for the town."

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