By: Mohamed Sahr
In a transformative step towards enhancing reliable healthcare delivery through sustainable energy, the Government of Sierra Leone, in partnership with development partners, officially commissioned Phase Three of its national solar electrification project on Thursday, 12th June 2025.
The event, held at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, marked the hospital’s installation of a 760 kWp solar system with a 1.225 MWh battery storage capacity the largest deployment under the project to date.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that reliable electricity has long been a challenge in healthcare delivery. He hailed the project as a milestone in addressing the issue and a new dawn for the health sector in Sierra Leone.
“This project not only ensures smooth hospital operations and secure digital record-keeping but also reinforces our commitment to advancing healthcare,” said Dr. Jalloh. He extended gratitude to the British High Commission and other partners for their support, while urging Connaught Hospital’s management to maintain the newly installed systems diligently.
The Vice President also announced plans to modernize healthcare services further by integrating internet infrastructure to enable digital management of medical records, promoting efficiency and sustainability. “Today, we are proud of the transformation at Connaught Hospital,” he added.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, described the solar project as a fulfillment of President Bio’s promise to improve healthcare for all Sierra Leoneans. He emphasized the project’s focus on equity, ensuring that remote and underserved communities benefit from the energy revolution.
“This commissioning signifies more than infrastructure it’s a people-centered initiative that reflects resilience, cooperation, and national health advancement,” Dr. Demby noted. He praised the electrification of healthcare units for empowering frontline providers and improving health outcomes across various districts.
Dr. Demby also acknowledged the development partners for supporting the electrification of 42 healthcare facilities and encouraged healthcare professionals to undergo training and take ownership of the systems to ensure sustainability.
Speaking at the event, British High Commissioner Josephine Gauld LVO reaffirmed the UK’s support for Sierra Leone’s green development goals. “The completion of this project is about saving lives and building sustainable, resilient health facilities,” she said, thanking the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders for their collaboration.
Mohamed Absar Siddiqui, Project Manager at EM-ONE, highlighted the technical milestones achieved in partnership with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Across all three phases of the project: 42 facilities have been electrified, including 17 major hospitals and 25 Community Health Centers (CHCs).
Phase 1 deployed 840 kWp of solar and 1.2 MWh of storage at six hospitals.
Phase 2 added 320 kWp and 600 kWh of storage across Kailahun Government Hospital and 25 CHCs.
Phase 3, now completed, added 3 MWp of solar and 5.2 MWh of battery storage across 10 major hospitals.
The largest installation is at Connaught Hospital, which received a 760 kWp solar system with 1.225 MWh of lithium-ion storage, and a transformer upgrade from 630 kVA to 1 MVA in collaboration with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), ensuring stable and uninterrupted power.
Siddiqui stressed that the project goes beyond technology it empowers people. Local biomedical technicians were trained during installation, ensuring long-term operation and local ownership. Furthermore, the Women in STEM internship program trained 24 graduates mostly women providing them with hands-on experience in renewable energy infrastructure.
“This project is a model for scalable, impactful change made possible by government leadership, international partnership, and technical expertise. At EM-ONE, we always say we’re not just powering buildings; we’re powering lives,” Siddiqui concluded.
