By: Audrey Raymonda John
Energy Sector Lead, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, has described the signing of a lease agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Release by Scatec for the deployment of a 40MW fast-track power plant in Kamakwie, Karene District, as a major breakthrough in the country’s goal of achieving energy sovereignty.
The project, which is set to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2026, aligns with Sierra Leone’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to deliver 1.7GW of new generation capacity by 2030.
Dr. Yumkella praised the partnership between Sierra Leone and Scatec, highlighting that the project will have a significant positive impact on the country’s energy objectives.
“This partnership marks a major milestone in the government’s efforts to address urgent energy needs in the provinces, especially for industrial development and improving the quality of life for citizens,” Dr. Yumkella said.
The Kamakwie site was selected for its strategic location and grid accessibility, which will enable the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to sell power to the regional network.
The project will be delivered through an innovative leasing model, providing a modular, containerized energy solution that is clean, reliable, and rapidly deployable tailored for the fast-growing energy demands of emerging markets.
“His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is expected to break ground for the construction later this year,” Dr. Yumkella added.
Finance Minister Fantamadi Bangura noted that the signing of the agreement represents a major milestone in the implementation of Mission 300. He thanked the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank for their support in facilitating the project. The 40MW addition will bring Sierra Leone’s total renewable energy capacity to 167MW, effectively doubling the country’s current solar output by 2026.
Scatec’s Chief Executive Officer, Hans Olav Kvalvaag, expressed his satisfaction with the strong collaboration between his company and Sierra Leone. He emphasized that the country’s commitment to quickly mobilizing resources and efforts to meet urgent energy needs has been key to the success of the project.
“We are committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s efforts by delivering clean, reliable electricity to communities across the country,” Kvalvaag concluded.
The Kamakwie plant will provide critical support to Sierra Leone’s national grid, reduce generation shortfalls, and help meet the growing demand for electricity nationwide.
Release by Scatec is an independent company, majority-owned by Scatec. It is a global renewable energy solutions provider, delivering affordable and sustainable power through pre-financed, modular, scalable, and redeployable leasing solutions for solar PV and battery energy storage systems.
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