Flooding Forces Temporary Shutdown of Mallam and Achimota Substations in Accra
On the night of Sunday, 2 November 2025, heavy rainfall led to severe flooding in parts of Ghana’s capital, Accra. The deluge inundated the Mallam and Achimota electrical substations, prompting the Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to take precautionary measures.
Immediate Actions by GRIDCo and ECG
In a joint statement released early Monday, the two utilities explained that floodwaters had reached critical components of the substations, threatening both equipment integrity and the safety of operational staff. To mitigate these risks, GRIDCo and ECG decided to temporarily disconnect power from the affected facilities.
“To protect lives, protect property and prevent damage to the power grid, GRIDCo and ECG have decided to temporarily shut off power to the affected substations until conditions are safe for restoration,” the statement read.
The decision was made after real‑time assessments showed water levels exceeding the design thresholds for the substations’ grounding and switching gear. Engineers from both companies were deployed to monitor the situation and begin damage assessments as soon as it was safe to access the sites.
Impact on Power Supply and Public Safety Advice
The shutdown disrupted electricity supply to several neighbourhoods served by the Mallam and Achimota nodes, including parts of East Legon, Adenta, and surrounding communities. Residents reported intermittent outages beginning late Sunday night, with full loss of power in some areas by early Monday morning.
Recognizing the hazards posed by flood‑affected electrical infrastructure, GRIDCo and ECG issued the following safety guidance for the public:
- Stay clear of any utility poles, transformers, or electrical equipment that appears submerged or damaged.
- Report downed power lines, exposed conductors, or flooded electrical installations immediately to the nearest ECG office or via ECG’s customer service hotline.
- Avoid attempting to move or tamper with any electrical infrastructure; leave repairs to qualified technicians.
- If you notice sparks, smoke, or unusual sounds from electrical equipment, evacuate the area and call emergency services.
The utilities emphasized that timely reporting enables faster response crews to isolate hazards and begin restoration work, thereby reducing the risk of electrocution or fire.
Restoration Efforts and Ongoing Monitoring
GRIDCo and ECG have activated their incident response teams to conduct detailed inspections of the transmission and distribution network once water recedes. Preliminary assessments indicate that the primary damage is limited to insulation degradation and minor corrosion on switching gear, which can be repaired or replaced within a few days, provided weather conditions remain stable.
Both companies continue to liaise with the Ghana Meteorological Agency and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to monitor rainfall forecasts and river levels. According to the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Accra recorded approximately 160 mm of rain in the 24‑hour period ending Monday morning—well above the monthly average and a key factor in the flooding event.
In their statement, GRIDCo and ECG expressed appreciation for public patience and cooperation:
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank all affected customers for their patience, cooperation and understanding. We will make every effort to restore power as soon as weather conditions improve and it is safe to do so.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, restoration crews had begun re‑energizing non‑critical sections of the network, with a phased approach aimed at ensuring system stability. Full service is expected to be resumed by the end of the week, contingent on continued dry weather and successful completion of safety checks.
