By Francess Wright

Freetown, Sierra Leone’s bustling capital and economic nerve center, is grappling with an intensifying power crisis that has left homes, businesses, hospitals and public institutions struggling to function. The city is experiencing widespread epileptic power supply, with many neighborhoods plunged into darkness for days on end. What began as a frustrating inconvenience has now become a full-blown emergency, exposing deep cracks in the country’s energy management and severely testing public patience.

The situation has deteriorated rapidly following the drastic reduction in electricity generation by Turkish Karpowership, Sierra Leone’s primary independent power supplier. The cutback, reportedly due to unpaid Government obligations, has triggered long and unpredictable blackouts across the capital. Some communities report over one hundred hours of continuous power outage, forcing residents and businesses to adapt to worsening conditions with no clear end in sight.

In the heart of the Central Business District, business owners are feeling the strain. Many rely on generators to stay afloat, but soaring fuel costs have made that option increasingly unaffordable. Restaurants are discarding spoiled food, tailors cannot meet client deadlines and offices are cutting hours to manage costs. Hotels such as Atlantic Lumley, Bintumani Medrie and The Hub report that operations are near collapse. Without reliable electricity, they cannot provide basic services like air conditioning, water heating and laundry. Guests are cancelling stays, and staff fear job losses if the situation persists.

Adding to the public's anxiety is the perceived lack of consistent communication from authorities. Until recently, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) had offered little public explanation for the worsening power situation. However, in a press release dated June 21, 2025, EDSA finally acknowledged the issue, citing emergency maintenance and the commissioning of a new substation along the CLSG-Transco line as key factors behind the reduced supply. According to the release, this activity will disrupt electricity distribution in Kenema, Bo, Kono and Freetown for a period of three weeks.

To cushion the impact, EDSA announced a Power Purchase Agreement with neighboring Guinea to boost supply during this period. The Authority also stated it is working to ensure fair distribution of available power and minimize disruptions through planned load shedding and the use of alternative energy sources. While the update brings some clarity, it has done little to ease public frustration over the lack of timely information and sustainable long-term planning.

The timing of the crisis has also sparked renewed criticism of Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Presidential Adviser on Energy, who earlier assured citizens that the Government had learned from past missteps and adopted a more resilient energy strategy. But with the reality on the ground growing more dire, many now question whether Dr. Yumkella misjudged the complexity of the problem or lacked the support necessary to implement meaningful reforms.

Meanwhile, the Government continues to press forward with high-profile infrastructure deals, including the recently announced Lungi Bridge project. While such initiatives promise long-term benefits, critics argue that basic services like electricity should take precedence. For many Sierra Leoneans, this is no longer just about electricity, it is about national priorities and leadership focus. What value is a bridge when communities cannot power their homes, preserve food or keep businesses running?

The current crisis has highlighted the urgency of reforming Sierra Leone’s energy sector. Overreliance on a single foreign supplier, poor infrastructure maintenance and underinvestment in renewable sources like solar and hydropower has left the country vulnerable. Despite having abundant natural resources, Sierra Leone has yet to fully harness its potential to build a stable, affordable and independent energy system.

Darkness continues to envelop Freetown and with it grows the people’s call for change. They want light. They demand answers. They are calling for leadership that delivers. Until those calls are answered, the capital will remain a symbol of unrealized promise, fading hope and the urgent need for real power; not just in the wires above but in the decisions made below.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/as-freetown-faces-blackout-kkys-strategy-faces-criticism/