By: Saidu Jalloh, Reporter
A group of journalists recently visited the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam to investigate the alarming drop in its power generation capacity, a situation attributed to climate change and unauthorized human activities upstream.
The expedition was led by Dr. Martin Gbonda, a senior official from the Office of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security (PI-CREF). Dr. Gbonda emphasized the importance of firsthand observations regarding the environmental degradation occurring in the watershed and river catchment areas.
“It is disappointing that we are witnessing unprecedented low water levels at the dam, adversely affecting electricity generation and causing hardship for residents and businesses, particularly in Freetown,” Dr. Gbonda stated. He highlighted that deforestation, mining, and encroachment are significant contributors to the dwindling water levels.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Gbonda expressed optimism that conditions would improve with the onset of the rainy season. He advocated for more strategic and long-term initiatives to safeguard the dam.
Mengeste Tadesse Gizaw, the Deputy Plant Manager at the Bumbuna Power Plant, provided technical insights into the limitations of energy delivery from Bumbuna to Freetown, attributing these restrictions directly to water scarcity.
Ing. Musa Kabba, Acting Station Head and representative of the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), voiced concerns regarding unlicensed agricultural and mining activities around the dam. He warned that hazardous contaminants, including biomass, are infiltrating the turbines, posing severe operational risks.
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