The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has backed emergency power cuts in parts of Accra after severe flooding from Monday’s torrential rains inundated critical electricity infrastructure and raised safety concerns for utility workers and residents.
The regulator said it had agreed, in consultation with the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), to the temporary shutdown of the Mallam and Achimota primary substations after floodwaters rendered the facilities unsafe to operate.
The decision has resulted in power outages across several communities in the Greater Accra Region as authorities race to prevent damage to equipment and avert potential electrocution risks.
“For the sake of public safety and the prevention of loss of human life, the Commission, in consultation with the service providers, has agreed to the shutting down of Mallam and Achimota Primary Substations, which have become severely flooded and dangerous to operate,” the PURC said in a statement.
The regulator said it was closely monitoring the impact of the outages on consumers and working with GRIDCo and ECG to ensure electricity supply is restored as quickly as conditions permit.
Independent technical teams from the Commission have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flooding and remain in constant contact with the utilities as restoration efforts continue.
The outages come after hours of heavy rainfall submerged major roads and communities across the capital, including Dzorwulu, Mallam, Weija, Shiashie, Teshie and Nungua, disrupting transport, business activities and electricity supply.
GRIDCo and ECG earlier announced that flooding had affected critical transmission and distribution infrastructure, making it necessary to isolate parts of the network to protect equipment and operational personnel.
The utilities warned that additional interruptions could occur in other areas if floodwaters continue to threaten electricity installations.
PURC acknowledged the frustrations of households and businesses affected by the unannounced outages and apologised for the inconvenience caused.
“The Commission remains committed to balancing the interests of both utility providers and consumers to ensure the delivery of safe, stable and reliable utility services,” it said.
Consumers experiencing electricity-related challenges or safety hazards have been encouraged to report them through the Commission’s customer service and emergency channels as monitoring efforts continue.
The latest disruptions highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to Accra’s recurrent flooding, with climate experts and urban planners repeatedly warning that inadequate drainage systems, encroachment on waterways and poor waste management continue to heighten flood risks across the rapidly expanding capital.
Post Views: 22
Discover more from The Business & Financial Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
