For nearly two weeks, residents of Grand Libreville have endured recurring power outages. The Société d'énergie et d'eau du Gabon (SEEG) attributed the disruptions to a fault on the 90 kV Bisségué-Owendo overhead line. According to SEEG, the fault occurred on September 13, causing a cascade of failures across the network, leading to widespread power cuts. The outages have affected all areas of Grand Libreville, including Bikélé, Owendo, Awendjé, and IAI.
SEEG reported on September 17 that the fault had caused significant disruptions to the power supply in Grand Libreville. The company stated that the line failure resulted in a temporary loss of power, which has been affecting the region since September 13. While SEEG has not disclosed the exact number of subscribers affected or a firm date for full restoration, they have assured that efforts are underway to rectify the situation.
The incident has placed additional strain on the network, as the remaining operational line does not have the capacity to handle the entire load. To manage demand, SEEG technicians have been conducting scheduled power outages in different neighborhoods to balance supply and demand. This measure aims to prevent a complete collapse of the network.
To address the issue, SEEG has mobilized local resources, including an equivalent replacement equipment identified in Oyem. The repair work on the second line is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Once operational, it will help absorb the total load and gradually bring an end to the power outages experienced by the population.
The timing of the incident has been further complicated by maintenance work on the KarPowerShip, a floating power plant based in Owendo. The vessel's operator, an Turkish company, stated that the maintenance was necessary and had been scheduled for some time. They emphasized that it was essential to carry out the work to ensure continuity of services.
The ongoing power outages have caused frustration among residents, who are concerned about the impact on their daily lives, including food preservation and general safety. As the situation continues to unfold, residents are eager for a swift resolution to the power outages and a return to normalcy.
SEEG and other stakeholders are working to resolve the issue and restore power to the region. The incident highlights the complexities of managing a reliable power supply and the challenges that can arise when infrastructure is put under strain.
Key points
- A major power line fault caused widespread outages in Grand Libreville.
- SEEG is working to repair the fault and restore power to the region.
- The incident has been compounded by maintenance work on the KarPowerShip.
