The ESB has reported a 4% year-on-year increase in first-half revenues to just over €1.7bn, adding that it remains on course to meet its stated targets of €280m in recurring annual savings by 2015.

Electricity has been restored to all of the 100,000 homes which lost power in severe weather in the North last week.

ESB bills will go up from January, after the Electricity Regulator approved a 13.25% increase yesterday.

Northern Ireland Electricity has said it hopes to restore power to houses affected by last night’s gales before mid-afternoon.