In a press release dated 23rd December 2023, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority addressed a recent incident at the Freetown 161 SubStation at Kingtom. In the early hours of Saturday, 23rd December 2023, unknown assailants attacked the crucial substation, the primary hub for power evacuation to the Western Area.

Despite efforts by deployed security forces to thwart the attackers, the perpetrators managed to cause significant damage to transformer number two (2) radiator. This resulted in the leakage of oil and subsequent malfunctioning of the cooling fan. Consequently, transformer number two (2) is currently non-operational, leaving only transformers 1 and 3 in operation with a reduced supply capacity to Freetown. The public is advised to anticipate supply interruptions in certain areas during this period.

Responding promptly to the crisis, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority has engaged the services of the Operations and Maintenance Contractor, Webuild. The contractor is actively working to swiftly repair the damaged transformer radiator fan. The Authority assures the public that upon completion of the maintenance work, normal power supply will be restored to Freetown.

This unfortunate incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to security threats. The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority, in collaboration with security forces, are committed to investigating the attack and ensuring that measures are in place to prevent future occurrences. The public is encouraged to cooperate with authorities and report any suspicious activities that could compromise the security of power infrastructure.

In the meantime, the affected areas are urged to use electricity judiciously and be prepared for potential outages. The Authority expresses its gratitude for the understanding and patience of the public during this challenging period. Further updates on the situation and progress of the repairs will be communicated to the public in a timely manner.