By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
The Government of Sierra Leone through the energy stakeholders unveiled the short, medium and long term strategic plans for sufficient and sustainable energy generation in not only the capital city but for the whole of the country.
The energy strategic plans unveiled on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 during the government weekly press briefing emerged from an energy retreat, gathering all stakeholders in the energy sector, including His Excellently, the President of the Republic. Almost all these stakeholders including some private partners were also present at the government press briefing, showcasing the level of seriousness and determination to realistically transform the energy sector.
Presenting the outcome of the energy retreat on behalf of the Government and energy stakeholders, the Sector Lead and Chairman of Energy Governance Coordination Group, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella detailed statistical analysis of the plans. He first off displayed a comprehensive study of all the sources and the current sources generating electricity for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Agency (EDSA) in Freetown.
“The current sources of power for EDSA for this December 2024 is 122 Megawatts in the day and 109 in the night. Demand forecast for Freetown is 70 during the day and 85 during the night,” Energy Sector Lead revealed, adding that what they are currently supplying in Freetown is not enough but assured to fix it.
As part of the short term measures for additional power generation, the Sector Lead, Hon. Kandeh Yumkella assured that the energy stakeholders had already received money from President Bio to repair the Blackhall Road and the Kingtom Generators which are expected to generate a total of 25 Megawatts (MW). He revealed plans for buying power on the CSLG from Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana a total of 87MW. Hon. Dr. Yumkella added that they also have New World Bank projects for EDSA and also for CIO procurement process. There were others such as CSLG for rural which are all part of the short term plan, spanning from 0 to 6 months.
On the medium term measures, the Chairman of Energy Governance Coordination Group, Hon. KKY made mentioned of the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE) for Newton 30MW and Lungi 10MW. He also highlighted the RELEASE by SCATEC Project which is to provide 40MW for Kamakwie, and Solar Installation at Newtown to further provide 15MW. He also highlighted the solarization of 7 District Headquarter Towns, solarization of 700 schools and clinics and others under the medium term energy plan which is for 12 to 18 months.
Under the long term plan described as the take off plan for sustainable and sufficient energy generation in the country, Hon. KKY emphasized the $412 million Nant Energy Project set to generate 83MW with LNG within 2 to 3 years. He made mentioned of upgrading the Bumbuna and Dodo hydro which are to provide 120MW and 12MW respectively. The long term plan also comprised of the establishment of the Rural Energy Agency Concept, establishment of 200 mini grids and the landmark MCC transmission and distribution projects.
Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, the Sector Lead and Energy Chairman concluded by summarizing the energy generation projection for the short, medium and long term which in total are expected to generate 422 Megawatts. All of these projects are expected to complete before the next three days, as some have already begun. Hon. KKY strongly assured the people of Sierra Leone that all of those are not just numbers but it is something they are presently working on. He however clarified that it would not happen overnight but would have to take a little time. He urged the people to continue to exercise patient and as well as help guiding the energy infrastructures in their diverse communities.