Flooding Knocks Out Two Key Power Substations in Accra

Severe flooding triggered by prolonged rainfall in Ghana's capital, Accra, has forced the temporary shutdown of the Mallam and Achimota Primary Substations, disrupting electricity supply to several communities.

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) announced the shutdown on Monday, saying floodwaters had inundated critical electricity infrastructure, making it unsafe to continue operations.

In a joint statement, the two utilities said the decision was taken to protect lives, safeguard electricity equipment and prevent further damage to the transmission and distribution network.

According to the statement, the affected substations will remain out of service until floodwaters recede and safety assessments confirm that operations can resume.

Utilities warn of possible additional outages

GRIDCo and ECG said engineers were assessing the impact of the flooding on the electricity network, warning that power supply could also be suspended in other flood-affected locations where safety risks are identified.

The utilities urged residents to avoid electrical hazards and promptly report fallen electricity poles, exposed or damaged power lines, flooded electrical installations and other safety concerns through ECG's customer service channels or the nearest district office.

The companies apologised for the disruption, assuring customers that restoration efforts would begin as soon as weather conditions improve and the affected facilities can be safely returned to service.

The incident underscores the growing challenge that extreme weather poses to electricity infrastructure across West Africa, where flooding has increasingly disrupted power networks, damaged critical assets and affected electricity supply in major urban centres.