NIE Latest News

NIE warns against bogus callers

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Following a recent incident in the Dungannon area of a bogus caller pretending to be from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the company has issued this safety advice:

Come and see NIE at Balmoral show

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Want to learn more about connecting a renewable electricity generator or how to stay safe when working near the electricity network?

Kite sparks electricity safety warning

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland Electricity, the network company, is reminding everyone to ‘look up and look out’ when playing near electricity lines.

NIE warns sailing enthusiasts to stay safe this spring

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As the start of the sailing season approaches, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has issued a strong safety warning to sailing enthusiasts to take extra caution and to be aware of overhead electricity lines and equipment when transporting yachts and other types of boats.

Electric learning at The Model!

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It was an electric learning day at The Model Primary School in Londonderry this week when Derek Oâ€™Loughlin, father to one of the pupils, came in to talk to the P4 class about his job as a Project Manager at Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE).

Engineering for the future at Methodist College

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Five Methodist College students have put their thinking caps on to help design a simple way to check oil levels at electricity substations as part of the Sentinus Team Research and Development Programme.

Water power at Shane’s Castle

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A new chapter in Northern Ireland’s search for a sustainable future has been opened with the completion of a hydroelectric scheme in Antrim.

Renewable heating is pumping in Anahilt!

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A home in Anahilt is heating up thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme! Trudy Pyper has recently installed a new air source heat pump which will provide her home with heating and hot water.

More power to the Omagh grid

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NIE, the electricity network company, has completed a £20M investment project in the Omagh area by building a new overhead electricity line from Omagh which supplies a newly built major substation at Magherakeel, just outside Killeter.

Electric cars get plugged in

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and Environment Minister Alex Attwood have jointly launched the infrastructure that will support the increasing number of owners and drivers of electric vehicles in Northern Ireland.

Glenavy farm is feeling the heat!

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Glenavy dairy farmer has landed in hot water, thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity SMART Programme! William Johnston recently installed a solar water heating system on the roof of his milking parlour as part of the NIE SMART Farm Solar Water Heating grant and he is already seeing the financial and environmental benefits.

Larne B&B is heating up this spring!

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cairnview B&B in Larne is heating up thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme! Ian Lough, owner of the B&B, has recently installed a solar water heating system on the roof of his property to provide hot water for the B&B guests.

Bangor vandalism affects power network

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the network company, condemns vandals who deliberately damaged electricity equipment in Bangor last night and left local people without mains power.

NIE supports campaign to crush metal theft

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Over the last year, NIE, the electricity network company, has seen around one incident per week where metal thieves or vandals have damaged electricity equipment.

NIE helps scouts show with saving energy skills

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Energy Minister, Arlene Foster presented utility badges to scout groups from across Belfast this week who have been leading the way in energy efficiency and water conservation.

NIE revises response policy following staff attacks

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Another attack on a NIE employee in the Drumbeg area of Craigavon has led to the company to ‘seriously consider’ its emergency response approach in the area.

See you soon!

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As part of the Bee Safe initiative we will be out and about in the next few weeks teaching school children how to stay safe around electricity.

Continued attacks on NIE staff in Craigavon

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NIE condemns a threat to one of its meter readers in the Craigavon area this morning.

Bridging the electricity network in Omagh

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you have been travelling on the Doogary Road, Omagh recently you may have noticed a new bridge over the road. This scaffold bridge has been assembled to allow Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the network company, to connect a new overhead electricity line into the existing Omagh Main substation.

‘Transforming’ Belfast’s electricity network

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A ‘road train’ 60 metres in length wound its way through the streets of Belfast last night carrying essential electricity equipment to develop one of the city’s major substations. It represented over £3 million of infrastructure investment.

First 150 Coleraine homes signed up to 'Shift & Save'

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

150 Coleraine homes in the Somerset, Greenhall Highway, Wheatsheaf Road and surrounding areas of Coleraine have signed up to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) ‘Shift & Save’ trial to get ‘Smart’ this year with their energy.

Ards Council visits electricity control centre

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ards Councillors visited Northern Ireland Electricity’s (NIE) Control Centre last week to understand how the company deals with power cuts and plans for emergencies.

Contractor cuts power in Crumlin

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Around 1,500 homes and businesses in the Mill Street area of Crumlin were left without electricity at 9:58 on Friday (20 January) following contractor damage to the underground electricity network.

Vandals cause power cut in Ballymoney

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Over 90 homes in the Ballymoney area were left without electricity on Sunday (15 January) following vandalism to the electricity network.

Coleraine homes go on energy diet

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the network company, is inviting people in the Somerset, Greenhall Highway, Wheatsheaf Road and surrounding areas of Coleraine to get ‘Smart’ with energy this year.

NIE aids Scottish power restoration

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Repair teams from NIE, the electricity network company, set sail for Scotland this afternoon to help with the major network rebuild required following storms earlier this week.

Final figures released on power network damage

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

12:30pm

Around 35,000 people suffered power cuts during the recent severe weather according to the official figures issued by Northern Ireland Electricity, the network company, today.

NIE makes final network repairs

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

7.30am

Less than 100 customers are still without electricity this morning following yesterday’s severe gales. These customers are in the Triangle area of Coleraine, Ballymoney and Maghera.

NIE works to complete power restoration

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

6.30am

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has restored power to around 35,000 customers following the severe gales (gusts up to 80mph) which damaged the electricity network across Northern Ireland yesterday.

Power restoration continues into the night

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

8.30pm

NIE repair teams will be working into the night to repair the electricity network damaged in this morning’s gale force winds. Approximately 3,500 customers are without electricity at present. Northern parts of Northern Ireland remain the areas worst affected and some customers in these areas will be without power overnight.

Campsie repairs update

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

5.30pm

Due to repair work in the Campsie area this afternoon around 2,000 customers were taken off supply to allow NIE’s emergency teams to replace an electricity pole in the area.

Power restoration work continues

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

4.30pm

Around 8,500 customers are without electricity following the severe gales that caused widespread damage to the electricity network in Northern Ireland. The North and East coastal areas were worst affected however there are faults throughout Northern Ireland.

Strong winds affect power network

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

12.45pm

Severe gales have caused damage to the electricity network in Northern Ireland. At present approximately 10,000 customers are without electricity.

Emergency repair work in Campsie

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1.30pm

Around 2000 customers in the Campsie area will be without power today from 2pm due to emergency repair work.

NIE prepares for stormy weather

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

8am

Due to the severe winds gusting across Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has warned of the possibility of damage to the electricity network, especially in exposed locations.

Time flies with NIE

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

NIE employees who had clocked up an impressive total of 2000 years of experience in the electricity industry were awarded for their contributions at a special award lunch.

NIE engineers repair ice-hit line

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Tuesday night’s sleet, snow and gale force wind brought down a high voltage electricity line in the Moneyneany area of Draperstown.

Local schools take on robotic challenge

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Pupils from Aquinas Grammar School, Belfast and Dalriada School, Ballymoney, have been pitting their electro-mechanical wits against 19 other schools to reach the semi-final of Northern Ireland’s heat of the FIRST LEGO league.

NIE welcomes Ballymena Council visit

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ballymena Councillors visited Northern Ireland Electricity’s (NIE) Control Centre last week to understand how the company deals with power cuts.

Seeing red: celebrating the success of RSPB's red kites programme

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It has been four short years since the first red kites were reintroduced by RSPB to Northern Ireland. On 6 December 2011, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) was invited by the wildlife charity, together with schools and other funders, to celebrate the success of the re-introduction programme.

NIE supports Scotland’s power restoration

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Overhead lines teams from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) crossed the Irish Sea on Friday to help rebuild the storm hit Scottish electricity network.

NIE offers powerful engineering scholarships for students

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the electricity networks company is sponsoring electrical engineering students through their degree with Queens. NIE demonstrated its commitment to developing engineering talent at the launch of the NIE Electrical Engineering Scholarship Programme at Queen’s University Belfast this week.

Pudsey power for NIE apprentices

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Antrim Forum hosted a kick about with a difference last week when NIE’s Training School took to the pitch to raise money for Children in Need.

Cookstown dairy farmer is feeling the heat

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A Cookstown dairy farmer has landed in hot water, thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity SMART Programme. Patrick McGurk recently installed a solar water heating system on the roof of his milking parlour as part of the NIE SMART Farm Solar Water Heating grant and he is already seeing the financial and environmental benefits.

Contractor damages Belfast electricity cable

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

NIE, the electricity network company, confirms that contractor damage caused a power cut in North Belfast on Wednesday night. Damage to an underground electricity cable left 1,488 homes and businesses without electricity. The incident occurred at 18.55 and affected areas around the Shore Road and Antrim Road.

A winter reminder for our electricity customers

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

As winter approaches Northern Ireland Electricity issues a reminder to its customers on how to cope if their electricity supplies are interrupted. Northern Ireland Electricity is the electricity networks company and repairs faults on the network regardless of which supplier issues your bills.

Ballymartin B&B is heating up

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Sharon Farm B&B in Ballymartin has landed in hot water thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme! Newell and Marley Bingham, owners of the B&B, have recently installed a solar water heating system on the roof of his property to provide hot water for the B&B guests.

Contractor damage leaves Bangor powerless

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Over 1,600 homes and businesses in Bangor lost electricity supplies at 14.53 on Friday (14 October) following contractor damage to the underground electricity network in the area.

NIE submits additional addendum to Interconnector inquiry

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

NIE, the electricity network company, has published further information on the proposed Tyrone to Cavan Interconnector prior to the Public Inquiry.

Substation break-ins spark concern

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

NIE, the electricity network company, has issued a stark safety warning following break-ins to three major electricity substations in the Larne area. The break-ins, discovered last week, show evidence that vandals interfered with live electricity equipment putting themselves at risk of electrocution and putting the electricity supplies of thousands of customers at risk.

Tree felling cuts power

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Over 970 households in the Lisburn area lost power on Saturday (1 October) when a felled tree damaged electricity equipment. The fault was reported at 20:26 and Northern Ireland Electricity emergency crews responded immediately to the incident.

Electricity maintenance takes to the skies

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Specialist Northern Ireland Electricity engineers will be running helicopter patrols over the coming months to identify areas of the power network which need maintenance. These aerial patrols of over 5,500kms of the electricity network will allow trained observers to identify and record any signs of damage or wear and tear on the lines and equipment that carry electricity.

Clanabogan Country House is shining brightly

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Clanabogan Country House in Omagh is heating up thanks to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme. Mary and Robert Montgomery, owners of the B&B, have recently installed a solar water heating system on the roof of their property to provide hot water for their guests.

Wood is the way forward for Draperstown company

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Heron Brothers Ltd., a construction and manufacturing business, based in Draperstown, has recently been doing its bit to help the local environment. The company has installed a wood gasification boiler, part funded by the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme.

Greenhill YMCA goes green

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Greenhill YMCA National Outdoor Centre is leading the way for a sustainable future. The Centre, located in Slieve Donard Park, has installed a number of renewable energy technologies with a little help from the Northern Ireland Electricity’s (NIE’s) SMART Programme.

NIE announces £190,000 power upgrade for Ballymoney

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) will be investing in two separate projects to upgrade the electricity network in Ballymoney over the coming weeks.