NAWEC Reports Intermittent Power Outages Across The Gambia
The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) announced on Saturday that recent intermittent power cuts in several regions stem from significant technical disruptions within the electricity distribution system. The utility said its teams are working continuously to diagnose the faults, carry out repairs, and reinforce the grid to restore a stable supply as quickly as possible.
Technical Disruptions Identified in Distribution Network
According to NAWEC’s statement, the disturbances have affected the stability and reliability of the power flow, leading to unplanned service interruptions in multiple feeders. Engineers have traced the problems to ageing infrastructure, overload on specific transformers, and occasional fault currents that trigger protective shutdowns.
Independent assessments by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBS) show that, as of 2023, approximately 62 % of households had access to electricity, with urban centres enjoying higher reliability than rural areas (GBS, 2023). The current outages exacerbate existing gaps, particularly in peri‑urban zones where demand spikes during evening hours.
Load‑Shedding Measures During Peak Demand
To prevent a total system collapse, NAWEC has implemented controlled load‑shedding on certain feeders, especially during periods of peak consumption. This strategy balances limited generation capacity with the need to keep the grid operational.
- Peak demand periods typically occur between 18:00 and 21:00 local time.
- Load‑shedding blocks are rotated every 2–3 hours to spread the impact.
- Customers receive advance notices via SMS and the NAWEC mobile app when their area is slated for shedding.
The approach aligns with recommendations from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for managing constrained grids in developing nations (IEA, 2022).
Impact Ahead of Eid al‑Adha (Tobaski) Celebrations
The timing of the outages is especially sensitive as The Gambia prepares for Eid al‑Adha (locally known as Tobaski), a festival marked by increased household activity, cooking, and communal gatherings. NAWEC acknowledged that electricity demand traditionally rises by up to 20 % during this period, heightening the risk of further interruptions.
Community leaders have voiced concerns about the potential disruption to religious observances and family festivities. In response, NAWEC has pledged to prioritize critical infrastructure—such as hospitals, mosques, and water pumping stations—when allocating limited power.
Company Response and Restoration Timeline
NAWEC’s technical crews are operating around the clock, employing diagnostic tools such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems to isolate faults and expedite repairs. The utility has also mobilized additional crews from regional offices to reinforce vulnerable sections of the network.
In its statement, NAWEC outlined the following steps:
- Immediate fault isolation and temporary bypass installation.
- Replacement of degraded conductors and aging transformers.
- Installation of fault‑current limiters on high‑risk feeders.
- Enhanced vegetation management to reduce line‑contact incidents.
The company expects to achieve a noticeable improvement in supply stability within the next 72 hours, with full normalization contingent on the completion of reinforcement works. NAWEC urged customers to remain patient and to report any persistent issues through its 24‑hour call centre or online portal.
For further updates, users can refer to NAWEC’s official website (nawec.gm) or follow its verified social media channels, which provide real‑time outage maps and estimated restoration times.
