#Ireland #Edinburgh #Cyberhawk #ESB #iHawk

Cyberhawk Enhances ESB's Network Resilience Post Storms

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) of Ireland has taken a significant step towards improving its network resilience following the havoc wreaked by recent severe storms. In a strategic move, the public utility has collaborated with Cyberhawk™, a global leader in drone asset inspection and visual data management, to bolster its restoration efforts. As Ireland witnessed significant infrastructural damage from recent storms, Cyberhawk’s innovative approach to drone inspections has come to the forefront, revealing its effectiveness in real-time data collection and damage assessment.

On September 3, 2025, it was announced that Cyberhawk has successfully integrated its iHawk™ platform into ESB's winter resilience program. This collaboration aims to respond to the catastrophic impacts of twin storms, Darragh and Eowyn, that hit the nation during December 2024 and January 2025, disrupting power supply to over 700,000 homes, businesses, and farms across Ireland.

Cyberhawk's deployment involved over 180 kilometers of ESB's distribution network, especially focusing on 1,000 densely forested areas, which were severely impacted. By utilizing iHawk, an advanced cloud-based visual data management platform, ESB was able to inspect, visualize, and catalog the storm's aftermath effectively. This process included identifying downed trees and assessing damaged properties, enabling expedited debris removal and targeted maintenance planning—critical factors in ensuring that power could be restored swiftly.

Elaine Hannan, the Asset Manager for ESB Networks, highlighted the importance of speed and scale in their response to storm damage. She remarked, “The combination of Cyberhawk’s field operations and its iHawk platform provided us with a rapid assessment of our network's condition. iHawk granted us unprecedented visibility and situational awareness remotely, bridging the gap between data collection, decision-making, and action, thereby delivering immediate value to our teams.”

Additionally, the iHawk™ platform offered vital insights regarding vegetation encroachment issues, encouraging proactive management strategies to strengthen resilience ahead of future storms.

The winter resilience initiative aligns with ESB’s broader commitment to enhancing sustainability, security, and reliability for its two million customers. Patrick Saracco, Cyberhawk's Senior Vice President for EMEA, noted, “ESB's openness to innovation and collaboration has enabled us to deliver tangible and measurable benefits. This program demonstrates the power of combining aerial intelligence with actionable analytics, and we are proud to assist in reinforcing the resilience of Ireland's energy infrastructure against extreme weather events.”

Founded in 2008, Cyberhawk operates at the forefront of data management, merging drone inspection and surveying with its proprietary iHawk solution. As a pioneer in the industry, Cyberhawk conducts around 500,000 inspections and surveys annually and has achieved over 35 global firsts with projects spanning more than 40 countries. Comprising a robust team of energy industry veterans, world-class pilots, inspection engineers, and in-house software developers, Cyberhawk provides a comprehensive solution for visual inspection, surveying, and management for the energy sector, oil and gas, and other investment projects.

The partnership between Cyberhawk and ESB not only exhibits innovative problem-solving in utility management but also sets a benchmark for how technology can effectively mitigate the impacts of climate-related disruptions, providing a roadmap for other utilities in similar situations. As the focus shifts to enhancing infrastructure resilience, collaborations like this will play a vital role in the ongoing efforts against increasingly severe weather patterns.