On December 23, 2023, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority released a statement regarding an attack on the Freetown 161 SubStation at Kingtom . The substation is a crucial hub for power evacuation to the Western Area. Unknown assailants attacked the substation in the early hours of Saturday, December 23, 2023. 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.
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority has engaged the services of the Operations and Maintenance Contractor, Webuild, to repair the damaged transformer radiator fan 1. The contractor is actively working to swiftly restore normal power supply to Freetown upon completion of the maintenance work.
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority, in collaboration with security forces, is 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 1. The Authority expresses its gratitude for the understanding and patience of the public during this challenging period.
