Fire at GRIDCo Mallam substation disrupts power in parts of Accra

A fire outbreak at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) at Mallam has disrupted electricity supply to parts of Accra, including Lapaz, Mallam and Awoshie.

The blaze reportedly destroyed control boards and transformers at the facility, raising concerns about the impact on electricity transmission and the restoration of power to affected communities.

The full extent of the damage and the time required to restore normal operations have not yet been confirmed.

Firefighters from the Adjen Kotoku and Amasaman fire stations responded to the incident and worked to bring the blaze under control.

Their intervention reportedly helped prevent the fire from spreading to other critical installations within the substation, limiting the risk of further damage to essential equipment.

The cause of the outbreak remains unknown. Further investigations are expected to establish what triggered the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Technical assessments will also be required to determine the extent of the damage, identify the equipment that needs repair or replacement, and establish the work necessary to restore the affected installations.

The reported destruction of transformers and control boards could complicate efforts to restore normal electricity supply, depending on the extent of the damage and the availability of replacement equipment.

Residents and businesses in affected areas, including Lapaz, Mallam and Awoshie, may experience disruptions while the necessary technical assessments and restoration works are carried out.

However, the timeline for restoring normal supply has not yet been confirmed.

GRIDCo operates Ghana’s national electricity transmission network, transporting electricity from power generation facilities to distribution companies for onward supply to homes, businesses and other consumers.

Substations are essential components of this network. They house transformers, control boards and other equipment used to regulate voltage, manage electricity flows and support the reliable transmission of power.

Damage to such installations can affect transmission operations and create challenges for restoring normal electricity supply to communities served by the affected infrastructure.

Further updates on the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire and the restoration timeline are expected as assessments progress.