By George M.O. Williams
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), in partnership with the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), has announced an annual scheduled annual maintenance exercise on the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant and its 161kV transmission line.
According to the release issued on 12th May 2026, the maintenance will begin at 1:00 a.m. on Monday, 18th May and conclude at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 29th May 2026. The planned 12‑day shutdown will allow engineers to carry out critical servicing of the power plant and its transmission infrastructure.
Impact on Electricity Supply
During this period, electricity supply in Freetown, Makeni, and Magburaka will be affected. To minimize disruptions, EDSA and EGTC confirmed that thermal diesel generators will operate in these cities throughout the maintenance exercise.
Independent Power Producers, including Karpowership and Planet Solar, are also expected to boost generation to support the national grid during the temporary shutdown.
Purpose of the Exercise
Authorities emphasized that the annual maintenance is a mandatory operational requirement, guided by international engineering and safety standards. They explained that conducting preventive maintenance during the dry season, when hydroelectric output is lowest, helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures long‑term sustainability of the facility.
Public Advisory
EDSA expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed for patience and understanding from consumers. Full generation from Bumbuna is expected to resume on Saturday, 30th May 2026.
Meanwhile, a detailed load‑management schedule for affected communities will be published on Friday, 15th May 2026. Consumers can obtain updates or report faults via EDSA’s 24‑hour toll‑free line 672 or through its chatbot service on 075672672.