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In an unexpected turn of events, Freetown was plunged into darkness on the evening of March 18, 2024, as the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) grappled with technical difficulties at the Freetown 161 Power Station located at Kingtom.
The blackout occurred between the hours of 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, leaving residents in the capital city without electricity.
In a public notice issued shortly after the incident, EDSA provided insights into the cause of the blackout. According to the notice, technical difficulties were encountered at the Freetown 161 Power Station, hindering the synchronization of power generated from the Karpowership for onward distribution to residents of Freetown. The timing of the disruption during the early evening hours exacerbated the inconvenience for many households and businesses.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, EDSA assured the public that its technical staff, in collaboration with the team from Karpowership, were diligently working to address the technical glitches. Once resolved, power supply would be promptly restored to the affected areas of the city.
The notice also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the blackout and appealed to residents for patience and understanding during this challenging period. EDSA emphasized the importance of cooperation from valued customers and thanked them for their understanding.
The blackout underscored the vulnerability of Freetown’s electricity supply infrastructure and raised concerns about the reliability of the power grid. With Freetown’s growing population and increasing demand for electricity, ensuring a stable and efficient power supply remains a priority for both EDSA and the government.
In response to the incident, residents expressed frustration over the frequent disruptions in power supply and called for more proactive measures to prevent future blackouts. Many highlighted the impact of the outage on daily life, including disruptions to businesses, inconvenience in households, and potential safety hazards.
The blackout also reignited discussions about the need for investment in alternative energy sources and infrastructure upgrades to improve the resilience of the electricity grid. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, have been touted as viable solutions to diversify the energy mix and reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, EDSA reiterated its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the electricity sector and pledged to prioritize efforts to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the power supply. The authority assured the public that lessons learned from the blackout would inform future initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of the electricity infrastructure.
As efforts to restore power continued into the evening, residents remained hopeful for a swift resolution to the outage. With the technical teams from EDSA and Karpowership working tirelessly to resolve the issues, anticipation grew for the return of electricity to Freetown.
The total blackout experienced in Freetown on March 18, 2024, highlighted the vulnerability of the city’s electricity infrastructure and underscored the need for proactive measures to ensure a reliable and efficient power supply. While EDSA works to address the technical difficulties that led to the outage, residents are urged to remain patient and cooperative. As discussions on long-term solutions continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in sustainable energy infrastructure to meet the growing demands of an expanding city.
You guys are not serious. We have been experiencing more than a week blackout in the city here you are writing about 30 minutes blackout.
Let me ask you this question. Aren’t you people living in Sierra Leone?
Because if really you are in Sierra Leone, you shouldn’t be writing all such of rubbish and feeding it to us.
Citizens are stuck in Black out you are here reporting about BLA BLA BLA. Tweeeeee.
If you really don’t have something to write about please keep quiet and let the media breathe.
Unqualified reports all over Sierra loaded.
I don’t know when EDSA will stop lying to us. My entire community at Hill Station was in total darkness for over 20 hours. It’s so disheartening that the electricity. supply in the whole is dropping at a time when the cost is so expensive.
I don’t know why there is no competition in the electricity sector, sierraleone is going backward in terms of electricity distribution, for the past years now Edsa is struggling to give light to every household in Freetown at the same time, the light is by turn now, may God help them to restore the power supply to the best of way possible.
My community has been experiencing blackout for over one week now and you’re saying only 5:30 to 6:00pm? This is uncalled. EDSA is a joke! Many people are suffering some dying over lack of electricity in the CAPITAL CITY! Sad.
My community has been experiencing blackout for over one week now and am seeing 5:30 to 6:00pm this is ridiculous. Many people are suffering some even dying due to lack of electricity in the CAPITAL CITY! sad.
About a month ago, it was predicted this would happen because Kapower is not getting paid. Lae den lef for lie nor, meanwhile, Mr. Tif Election, Maada Bio still dae jet set around di world. Useless government
They are just give excuses , nothing to offer to th bublic than excuses. EDSA is one of the most unserious institutions in Sierra leone. The government should look in to energy sector and water . How can you have a prepaid meter at your house you have a million leones of top pop on your meter but there will be no letricity, the system of prepaid meters in Sierra leone was wrong.
If i am using prepaid meter I should have light… but No; .