Akosombo: The seven-member committee set up to probe the recent fire outbreak at the Akosombo Substation has attributed the incident to cable insulation failure. Presenting the findings to the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Chairman of the Committee, William Amuna, said the blaze was caused by a technical and structural failure, ruling out any deliberate action.
According to Ghana Web, the ageing condition of key components within the substation played a central role in the escalation of the incident, as the fault spread through interconnected systems before being brought under control. William Amuna explained that the fire originated from insulation failure in some of the cables in the LV panel, dismissing any notions of human interference or sabotage.
The committee has recommended the construction of a modern control room to replace the current one, which was built in 1964. This suggestion aims to prevent future incidents by upgrading the facility's infrastructure to meet contemporary standards and ensure safe operations.
The fire outbreak occurred on Thursday, April 23, 2026, affecting the switch system and the primary control room for the switchyard of the Akosombo Dam, resulting in the loss of 1,000 megawatts. Efforts are underway by GRIDCo and other entities to restore the lost capacity and ensure the stability of the power supply in the region.