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 electricity to parts of Accra after floodwaters receded at the Mallam and Achimota primary substations, which were shut down as a precaution during Monday's heavy rainfall.

The restoration follows an earlier joint announcement by the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and ECG that the two substations had been temporarily taken out of service after severe flooding threatened critical electricity infrastructure.

In a joint statement, the power utilities explained that the shutdown was necessary to safeguard lives, protect vital equipment, and ensure the safety of operational personnel while floodwaters inundated sections of the substations.

Speaking to JoyNews' Fatawu Bayaga after engineers assessed the facilities, ECG's Acting Managing Director, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, confirmed that water levels had dropped sufficiently to allow the gradual restoration of electricity.

"We are working with GRIDCo, so soon we'll be restoring power to Mallam. After Mallam, we will come here at Achimota. We have assessed the extent to which water entered the substation and have seen that the water has receded to a level where we can safely restore power," he said.

According to Ing. Kpekpena, electricity will be restored in phases, with communities located on higher ground receiving supply first while engineers continue to inspect the network before reconnecting low-lying areas.

"We want to be sure that our lines are not down before we restore power," he explained.

He disclosed that technical teams are also pumping water from underground cable chambers before fully restoring operations.

"This substation has several underground feeders that distribute electricity to customers. The cables pass through trenches and a basement before connecting to the switchgear. There is still some water in the basement, so our officers are pumping out the remaining water. However, the level is now safe enough for us to begin restoration," he said.

Ing. Kpekpena added that engineers are exercising extra caution in communities severely affected by the floods, including Alajo, where extensive flooding has resulted in fatalities and significant property damage.

"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 stated.

ECG has assured customers that restoration efforts will continue as engineers complete safety inspections to ensure power is returned without endangering lives or damaging equipment.