Technology from Elon Musk’s firm Starlink is being installed to support residents of a Newtownards community during severe weather.
Bowtown has had a Starlink satellite internet kit installed to “help people stay connected in the local area” in the event of storms causing power cuts.
The Housing Executive, which supported the project along with the Department for Communities, said the “ultra high-spec communications solution” will “assist with community contact.”
The Bowtown Community Development Group’s headquarters has had an electrical generator installed “in case of local power failure during storms.”
The local residents’ group has also been provided with “camping stoves, flasks, torches, power banks and sandbags” which can be distributed to residents.
Past storms have hit infrastructure and connectivity in the area, with one local telling a survey by the Community Development Group that: “During the last storm I panicked.
“The winds were so bad, and the electricity had gone out. I had no way of contacting anyone; I didn’t even know if my carers could come out to me.
“I rely on my phone to keep in touch with my family.
“The powerbank provided by Bowtown Community Development Group will help me keep my phone charged which will help me keep connected with people.”
Christina West, from Bowtown Community Development Group, said: “There’s a strong need for this project in this area and we’re delighted to be able to provide a warm, safe space during power cuts.
“With an industrial generator, families will be able to access hot drinks, charge their phone and store essential medication in our fridge during severe weather conditions.
“Many residents are over 65 or have a long-term disability — other residents have young children or care for a young person with a disability.
“Many households have also been affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
“Community storm resources was a popular idea amongst residents and thanks to the Housing Executive and the Department for Communities we can now provide this support.”
The community storm kit was funded by a grant of nearly £4,000 from the Housing Executive, of which over £3,500 was provided from the Department for Communities’ Small Pockets of Deprivation Funding.
Jill Gallagher, area manager at the Housing Executive, said: “This important project will keep tenants safe and warm during emergency weather conditions, and particularly support vulnerable residents.”
Starlink technology is used around the world to allow for internet communications in areas without traditional infrastructure.
After the Russian invasion of 2022, Starlink technology has been used extensively by Ukraine to aid its military, including relying on it to aid in the interception of drone and missile attacks.
Kyiv’s access to the technology was restricted last week, with speed limits imposed that harmed the ability of Ukrainian drones to prevent Russian attacks.
Mr Musk claimed that these limits were imposed at the request of the Trump administration, however X CEO Musk has been critical of Ukrainian Presdient Volodymyr Zelensky in recent times, saying on his social media platform that he had “gone too far.”