ECG Begins Phased Power Restoration to Accra After Flood Shutdowns at Key Substations
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has commenced the phased restoration of power to parts of Accra after floodwaters receded at the Mallam and Achimota primary substations, which had been shut down as a precautionary measure during heavy rains.
The move follows a joint announcement by ECG and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) that the substations were temporarily taken out of service to safeguard lives, protect electrical equipment, and ensure the safety of operational personnel as floodwaters inundated parts of the infrastructure.
In an interview with JoyNews’ Fatawu Bayaga, Acting Managing Director of ECG, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, explained that engineers determined water levels had receded sufficiently to allow gradual restoration. “We are working with GRIDCo, so soon we’ll be restoring power to Mallam. After Mallam, we will come here [Achimota]. We are assessing the extent to which water has entered the substation, and we’ve seen that the water has receded to a level where we can restore power,” he said.
According to him, power will be restored in phases, with communities on higher ground receiving supply first while engineers continue to monitor conditions before reconnecting low-lying areas. “We want to be sure that our lines are not down before we restore power,” Ing. Kpekpena added.
He disclosed that engineers are also pumping water from underground cable chambers before fully restoring operations. “This substation has a lot of underground feeders that distribute electricity to customers. The cables pass through trenches and a basement before connecting to the switchgear. There is still water in the basement, so our officers are pumping out the residual water. However, the level is now safe enough for us to begin restoration,” he noted.
Ing. Kpekpena said special attention was being given to flood-ravaged communities such as Alajo [see related coverage](/church-in-alajo-flooded-residents-trapped-as-water-reaches-neck-level), where extensive flooding has caused fatalities and widespread destruction. “This substation supplies Alajo. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that no power lines are down before electricity is restored to the area,” he said.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency has warned of continued rainfall [see related coverage](/children-elderly-and-persons-with-disabilities-prioritized-in-ghanas-flood-response), underscoring the need for vigilance as restoration efforts proceed.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
