The Sierra Leone government has commenced construction on a thermal power plant this week, aiming to nearly double the country’s energy capacity, as less than a third of its population currently has access to electricity.
Presidential Launch of Landmark Energy Project
President Julius Maada Bio officially inaugurated the construction of “Sierra Leone’s first large-scale, industrial-grade independent power generation project” in the capital city, Freetown. The announcement was made on the Sierra Leonean presidency’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday.
The Nant Energy project is poised to substantially increase Sierra Leone’s energy capacity, according to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), a U.S. government agency collaborating on the project. The DFC confirmed that this facility will be the first gas-to-power plant in Sierra Leone.
Construction Timeline and Financial Backing
Construction is underway and is anticipated to be finalized within 36 months. The United States has committed to providing funding and political risk insurance of up to $412 million for the project, as stated by the DFC.
This development marks a significant milestone for Sierra Leone, as the DFC highlighted that it represents the largest increase in energy capacity within a single country supported by their funding.
The project aims to address the country’s energy deficit and unreliable power supply, which led to two months of power cuts until April due to payment difficulties with private electricity providers.
Limited Electricity Access and Future Outlook
As of 2021, only about 27.5% of the total population and a mere 4.9% of the rural population had access to electricity, according to the International Trade Administration.
Firewood remains the primary energy source, accounting for approximately 80% of energy consumption, while imported petroleum products are mainly used for electricity generation. The new thermal power plant is expected to improve energy access and contribute to a more stable and reliable power supply for the nation.