Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has announced a load-shedding schedule for the Western Area due to a significant reduction in electricity generation at the Bumbuna hydroelectric dam.
According to EDSA, the dry season has caused Bumbuna to operate at less than 25% of its peak capacity, limiting the available electricity supply. The current power supply is sourced from Bumbuna, Karpower, and the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) generators at Kingtom. However, generators at Blackhall Road are undergoing repairs and will only be available in the coming months.
“Currently, we can only meet 65% of peak electricity demand in the Western Area,” an EDSA stated in a public notice issued today. “As a result, we will implement load shedding to fairly distribute the available supply.”
Priority for Hospitals and Key Locations
Despite the shortage, EDSA has assured that hospitals and critical facilities will be prioritized. “No customer will be without electricity for more than 72 hours,” the statement added.
The load-shedding schedule divides electricity supply between daytime and nighttime allocations, with specific areas receiving power at designated times.
Load-Shedding Schedule
DAYTIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (6:00AM – 6:00PM)
Central Business District (CBD) – 10hrs
Industries in the Cline Town industrial and Blackhall Road areas – 10hrs
Hotels at Aberdeen and Lumley -10 hrs
Strategic Hospitals, President Lodge, VP Lodge, Sister Mess Hospital -12 hrs
NIGHTTIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
(06:00 PM – 06:00 AM) – 9hrs every other day (1 out of every 2 days).
Wilkinson Road (Bata)
Signal Hill
Congo Cross Olosoro
Murray Town
Aberdeen
Cockle Bay
Africanus Road
Shell
Parsonage Street
Hooke Street
Looking Town Hotel
5-10 NIGHTTIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (06:00 PM – 06:00 AM) – 9hrs every other day (1 out of every 2 days).
Aberdeen Village
Murray Town
Cockle Bay
Dockyard
Fisheries
Ferry Junction
Soldier Street
Walpole Street
Howe Street
Siaka Steven Street (CBD)
Kroo Bay part of the CBD
NIGHTTIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
(06:00 PM – 06:00 AM) – 9hrs every other day (1 out of every 2 days).
Waterloo Street
Connaught Hospital area
New England
Brookfields
Riverside Drive
Hill Cot
Dwazark
George Brook
Hill Station Hill Top
Plume Heat IMATT
NIGHTTIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
(06:00 PM – 06:00 AM) – 9hrs every other day (1 out of every 2 days).
Circular Road
Part of Leicester Road
Calender (Upper Leicester Road)
Juba
Juba Hill
Levuma Beach
Funkia
Goderich onto Sussex
Lowcost
Thunder Hill
Kissy Police Barracks Brima Lane
NIGHT TIME ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
(06:00 PM – 06:00 AM) – 9hrs every other day (1 out of every 2 days).
Portee
Wellington onto Waterloo
Strategic Hospitals
President Lodge
VP Lodge
Sister Mess Hospital
Barracks
Murray Town
Reporting Power Issues
EDSA has urged customers experiencing continuous blackouts exceeding 72 hours—outside of officially scheduled outages—to report the issue via the following contact numbers:
– 033033546
– 073280504
In case of faults, customers can call 672 for assistance.
Warning Against Bribery
The electricity provider has also warned customers against offering bribes to staff to alter the schedule in their favor. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against any staff found engaging in such activities,” the statement emphasized.
EDSA has assured the public that efforts are underway to restore full capacity, and the Blackhall Road generators will be operational in the coming months.
