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You can contact ESB Networks on 1800 372 757 if you are experiencing issues with your electricity supply, home meter or want to request a smart meter installation. Formerly the state electricity provider, ESB Networks now own and operates the electricity distribution network in Ireland, including connection and distribution infrastructure. In addition to this, they are in charge of the smart meter rollout in Ireland.
What Do ESB Networks Do?
Formerly the Irish state owned electricity provider, today ESB Networks owns and operates the electricity distribution network in the Republic of Ireland. It is also responsible for installing, maintaining, and reading electricity meters.
ESB Networks serves more than 2.3 million customers across the country.
As part of its operations, ESB Networks is responsible for the following services in Ireland:
Installing electricity connections to homes and businesses
Dealing with faults and power outages
Taking electricity meter readings
Installing smart meters
What Are the ESB Connection Services?
If you are looking to set up a new electricity connection at your new home or property, you must contact ESB Networks to request a new connection.
Submit an ESB Connection Form Online Visit the ESB new connections website, where you will be prompted to create an ESB account and need to provide the following information in the application:
Your MPRN. Your builder or developer should be able to provide this.
Digital copies of your site plan and ordnance survey map. The location should be marked in red.
Your eircode to identify the location.
Details about the load and connection capacity.
Register with an electricity supplier. Once your connection is set up, you will need to choose an energy provider for your electricity, and gas if necessary, supply. Setting up a new connection with a supplier is relatively easy.
Get Your Connection Turned On Once you have chosen your supplier, they will contact the ESB to request that your connection be activated. For your connection to be turned on, the registered electrical contractor for the building must send a certificate to his/her regulatory body. This is to confirm that all works have been completed to meet ESB Networks' standards.
Go Live with the Connection. The builder’s electrician will switch on the electricity for your home.
Once you have applied for a new ESB connection, you should receive a quote within 15 days. If you accept the quote, ESB Networks will aim to complete the new connection within 60 business days. Most ESB new connections are completed within just 10 working days.
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How Do I Report Faults and Power Outages with ESB?
ESB Networks are responsible for the efficient running and upkeep of the national electricity infrastructure, but there can be at times interruptions and outages in the system.
Interruptions and outages affecting your electricity supply can often be related to one of two types:
Planned interruptions - These are due to scheduled maintenance by ESB Networks and normally only last a few hours.
Unplanned outages - These occur as a direct result of damage to electricity infrastructure during extreme weather situations such as storms and floods. These can take several hours or even days to repair.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your electricity supply or connection, here are the steps you should follow:
Check the ESB Website The ESB Power Check is a handy website tool where you can see any ESB faults, the exact location, how many customers have been affected, and whether the interruptions were scheduled or unplanned.
Take a Look at the Fuse Box Check your fuse box to see whether a switch has tripped or a fuse has blown. If you can’t see anything amiss with your fuse box, then call the service interruption phone number. It’s possible that the ESB Network’s main fuse for your home may be the culprit.
If after checking for scheduled interruptions and for issues with your home fuse box doesn't resolve the problem, you should contact ESB Networks to report the fault.
You can report an ESB fault online or by calling 1800 372 999. The line is available 24/7 including holidays.
Selectra's ESB Outage Advice
"Make absolutely sure that all your appliances are working perfectly before reporting an issue to ESB networks as you may be liable for a callout fee of up to €136 if the issue ends up being your appliances or your fuse box, and not an ESB-related issue."
If you are out and miss an ESB meter reading, or if you have received an estimated bill from your energy supplier, we recommend you submit your own ESB meter readings to make sure you are paying exactly what you owe.
Underestimated bills can lead to higher bills in the future, where you are charged more to cover the cost of the energy you used before.
An overestimated bill means that you are paying more than you should, but the difference will be deducted from future bills.
The best way to avoid issues with your meter reading is to have a smart meter installed where your electricity use is accurately recorded.
What Are the ESB Smart Meter Services?
As part of the government's Climate Action Plan, the ESB Networks are responsible for the rollout and installation of Ireland's smart meter initiative.
The aim is to eliminate estimated bills and provide customers with greater insight and control over their electricity usage.
As of 2024, over 1.8 millions homes and properties in Ireland have had smart meter installed by ESB Networks.
You don't need to request a smart meter installation as it's part of a national rollout, but if you are still waiting for your smart meter to be installed, you can contact the ESB Smart Meter services on 1800 928 123.
ESB Networks also provide a service to ensure you don’t accidentally hit any electrical cables which may be buried on your property while digging or carrying out renovations.
Before carrying out any excavation work, you or your contractor must contact the Central Site office, which will provide you with a map of any electricity cables in the vicinity of your excavation site.
You can contact the Central Site office for ESB Networks via the following:
Central Site, ESB Networks, St. Margaret’s Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
ESB Networks Phone Numbers
The main contact number for ESB Networks is 1800 372 757.
ESB Networks representatives are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The emergency line is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
If possible, we recommend that you have your MPRN on hand when you call.
If you’ve tried one of the above channels and are dissatisfied with the way your complaint has been handled, make a note of the complaint's reference number. ESB Networks should provide you with the complaints number, and then contact the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Social media users can also contact ESB Networks via the following platforms:
ESB Networks FAQs
Who Owns ESB Networks?
Today, ESB is a semi-state-owned body composed of several legally-partitioned companies that deal with electricity. Some of the divisions it manages are Electric Ireland, Smart Energy Services, Ecars, as well as lead global engineering consultancy to name a few groups.
ESB's current mission is to transition to low-carbon energy and increase the focus on renewable energy. The organisation is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040
What Is the Difference Between ESB Networks and Electric Ireland?
ESB Networks (Electricity Supply Board) was originally set up in 1927 as an entirely state-owned electricity provider and supplier.
Following the call for deregulation of the Irish electricity market in 2011, ESB was required to reduce its market share to 60% before rebranding and being allowed to re-enter the energy market as a competitor under the Electric Ireland branch.
Does ESB manage the Ecars program in Ireland?
Yes! If you have an electric vehicle, in addition to charging your electric car at home, you can also use the ESB public charging network. There are around 1,350 public charging points across Ireland. They can be found in various locations, such as on-street, shopping centres, or at hotels.
To find the nearest ESB charging station, use the ESB Ecar connect mobile app or the charge point map on the ESB website. In addition to the location, you'll also be able to see real-time availability.
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