Surge in demand for back-up electricity generators

There has been a huge surge of interest in back-up electricity generators for domestic use, an Athlone tool hire store has reported.

Athlone Hire Shop based in the Blyry Business & Commercial Park is struggling to keep up with demand.

Joint owner Simon Coghill said: “We have got more phone calls in the last four weeks than in the previous ten years for back up generators.”

Simon, who runs the business with Seamus Irwin, is attributing the spike in demand to fears over the reliability of electrical supply rather than to concerns about being unable to afford the rising bills.

“People are afraid that they might be left without power during the winter,” he explained.

Simon said the calls are coming from all sectors of society and all ranges of customers.

“We are selling them quicker than we can get them at this stage,” he explained.

The shop is selling rather than hiring out the generators, which are powered by a petrol engine and are capable of meeting all of a domestic property's power needs other than an electric shower.

The generators can be stored and wheeled into place when needed. A qualified electrician is required to install them. The generators are available at Athlone Hire Shop while stocks last.