30 Sep 2017 | 04:54 AM UTC
Equatorial Guinea: Ongoing electricity outages in Bata disrupt air travel, services
Widespread and ongoing power outages are reported in Bata since early September, disrupting local services and flights between Bata and Malabo; date of power restoration not yet announced
Event
Widespread and severe ongoing electricity outages have beset Bata (Litoral province) for the last four weeks, and continue to disrupt local services, communications, commerce, and flights between Bata and the capital, Malabo, according to media reports published on Friday, September 29. Only a few of Bata's buildings (i.e., some hotels and shops) reportedly have access to backup power generators, impeding commerce and the provision of public services. Because of the power outages, streetlights are only sporadically providing illumination to public areas, and many local residents are unable to charge and utilize mobile phones or other communications networks. Regularly scheduled evening flights between Malabo International Airport (SSG) and Bata International Airport (BSG) have also been indefinitely canceled due to a lack of lighting at BSG, according to the country's CEIBA Intercontinental airline.
The power outages have been caused by ongoing technical repair work at the Djibloho hydroelectric power plant. The electricity outages are expected to continue to disrupt transportation, provision of essential services, and commerce in Bata in the coming days, as Equatorial Guinean officials have not yet officially announced the exact date on which the hydroelectric plant repairs will be completed and power will be restored.
Context
Equatorial Guinean Minister of Industry and Energy Eugenio Edu Ndong announced on state television in early September that the Djibloho hydroelectric plant repairs would cut power to Bata for 33 days. Among other problems, power cuts in Equatorial Guinea regularly result in more frequent fires as citizens resort to candles and oil lamps for lighting, and overloaded and dangerous power connections for electricity.
Bata is the largest city and main economic hub of Equatorial Guinea, and the main port for the country's continental Río Muni region.
Advice
Individuals in Equatorial Guinea are advised to follow all directions issued by local authorities and to anticipate continued travel disruptions in Bata due to the ongoing power outages. Keep battery-powered devices charged as much as possible in preparation for continued power outages expected over the coming days.
