Dr. Yumkella Outlines Solutions to Sierra Leone’s Electricity Woes
By Fatima Muhammad
Sierra Leone’s electricity challenges took center stage at the Civic Day Series in Kambia District, where Special Adviser on Energy and Climate Change, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, addressed the country’s ongoing power crisis and efforts to improve supply.
Speaking at the event organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Dr. Yumkella highlighted the stark disparities in electricity distribution across the country. While districts like Kono and Makeni enjoy 24-hour electricity, Freetown continues to struggle with frequent blackouts.
“The problem is that we are not generating enough power, and our infrastructure is outdated,” Dr. Yumkella stated.
He revealed that Sierra Leone currently produces between 160 and 170 megawatts of electricity for a population of 8 million—far below the estimated 300 to 400 megawatts required to meet current demand. With the country’s growing population and economy, he projected that at least 1,000 megawatts would be needed within the next five years.
One of the major obstacles, he explained, is the aging electricity infrastructure.
“Our transformers and transmitters are old, and EDSA lacks the resources to reinvest in the energy sector because many people—including some government officials—do not pay their electricity bills,” he noted.
Climate change and human activities have further strained the already fragile power supply. However, he assured citizens that steps are being taken to address these issues.
“We are repairing old machinery, acquiring spare parts, and working to strengthen the national electricity grid,” Dr. Yumkella said.
In a bid to expand access to electricity, he announced that an additional 80 megawatts of solar energy will be integrated into the national grid in the coming months.
“With support from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this solar project will provide much-needed relief and improve access to electricity across the country,” he revealed.
