By: Saidu Jalloh
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), has signed a landmark lease agreement with Release by Scatec, a leading renewable energy provider, to deploy a 40-megawatt (MW) fast-track power plant in Kamakwie, located in the Koinadugu District of North-West Sierra Leone.
The project aims to stabilize the national grid, enhance regional energy access, and support Sierra Leone’s industrial development agenda. Using an innovative leasing model, the initiative will provide a modular, containerized clean energy solution that is both reliable and rapidly deployable to meet growing electricity demands.
Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Release by Scatec, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasizing that Sierra Leone’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy was crucial to the project’s progress.
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group, called the partnership a “significant milestone” in addressing Sierra Leone’s urgent energy needs. He explained that the Kamakwie site was selected for its strategic location and accessibility, enabling the EGTC and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to sell power to the regional network.
The initial lease term will span five years, with options for extension or purchase beginning in year six. The plant’s modular design will facilitate future expansion, including the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance grid stability. Dr. Yumkella also revealed that President Julius Maada Bio is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project later this year.
Expected to be commissioned by mid-2026, the Kamakwie power plant aligns with Sierra Leone’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to add 1.17 gigawatts (GW) of new generation capacity by 2030.
Hon. Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, described the deal as a major milestone for the Mission 300 initiative and expressed gratitude to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank for their role in facilitating the project.
According to Ing. Milton Gegbai, Director General of the EGTC, the Kamakwie power plant will be instrumental in supporting the national grid, reducing the country’s reliance on expensive diesel generation, and creating job opportunities. He also noted that the project will double Sierra Leone’s current solar capacity, raising total renewable energy output to 167 MW by 2026.
The EGTC is responsible for electricity generation and transmission across Sierra Leone, while Release by Scatec, a subsidiary of global renewable energy firm Scatec, provides affordable, modular, and sustainable solar and battery energy solutions worldwide.