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The Ministry of Energy has slashed a planned 11-day maintenance shutdown at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Dam down to just five days, following a direct intervention by the sector’s minister to minimize power disruptions.
Speaking on Radio Democracy, Minister of Energy Cyril Arnold Grant sought to allay public anxiety, clarifying that the current maintenance is a standard routine rather than an emergency. He noted that the annual maintenance work has occurred every early-to-mid May since the dam became operational in 2011.
Minister Grant revealed that water levels at the dam drop drastically during the peak of the dry season. Even before the official maintenance schedule was announced, the Bumbuna facility was generating a dismal 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity—far below the required capacity needed to sustain its target transmission lines.
The current maintenance work impacts power distribution to three major urban centers including Freetown, Makeni and Magburaka.
To fast-track the system restore, the minister negotiated a reduced timeline with the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC). Additional engineers have been deployed to the dam site to ensure the technical work is completed within the new five-day window.
To offset the Bumbuna shortfall and stabilize the capital’s grid, the ministry has adjusted its reliance on temporary generation assets. Minister Grant confirmed that administrative and technical measures are active, with the off-shore Karpowership currently generating 60 MW of electricity dedicated exclusively to Freetown.
“There is no cause for panic or alarm,” Minister Grant stated, reassuring residents that long-term policy adjustments, sector reforms, and infrastructure projects are actively being rolled out to stabilize national power supply in the coming weeks.
While promising steady improvements to the grid, the minister underscored that sustainable electricity relies heavily on public cooperation. He issued a strong warning against the illegal abstraction of electricity, urging citizens to remain law-abiding and report power theft.
The ministry emphasized that stabilizing the energy sector remains foundational to driving the government’s broader economic initiatives, including its signature “Feed Salone” agricultural agenda.
