Public lighting

Public Lighting Services 

ESB Networks facilitates connections for new public lights being installed. However, ESB Networks does not maintain public lighting. Maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of local authorities. 

Maintenance

All public lighting equipment is the property of local authorities.  This includes associated equipment feeding public lights, underground cable, micro-pillars, switch-wires on overhead network, public lighting poles etc. Local authorities own many lights located on ESB Networks' poles - these lights and their switchgear are also the property of the local authority. 

Local authorities are responsible for the maintenance of all this equipment, whether it is on their poles or ESB Networks poles.  In practice, this is generally done through an electrical contracting firm.   ESB Networks does not have access to information regarding the number or locations of non-operational lights.  This data is maintained by the local authorities' public lighting offices.  In most instances where lights are out of service, ESB Networks' involvement is not necessary for repair activities to proceed. However, we will make crews available upon request if:

• A fault is determined to be the responsibility of ESB Networks (e.g. faulty underground cable or overhead line on a section of network feeding the lights), or 
• A supply disconnection is required to enable local authority repairs. 

New/altered connections

For new works, or service alterations, where the local authority want to relocate an existing supply point, the public lighting office of the local authority must apply to ESB Networks for the works required.  The process for doing this is mapped out on the ESB Networks website at Unmetered public lighting (less than 2kVA) | ESB Networks

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