By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The Ministry of Energy has received $854, 845 in grant from the United State Trade Development Agency. The grant, according to officials, will be used to conduct a feasibility study on the technical, economic, financial, environmental and social information to pave way for the implement a project for a total of 45 mini-grids in Sierra Leone.
The result of the study will eventually increase access to energy in the country.
Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay said that energy is an integral part of the agenda of the government of President Julius Maada Bio, which has an ambitious plan of expanding energy access from 25% to 60% in the country by 2023.
“Provision of reliable affordable energy is critical for increasing economic development and stimulating key growth sector,” Sesay said on Monday at a ceremony marking the launch of the study at the United States Embassy in Freetown.
To get to the 60% mark, Sesay said using an integrated approach is important.
“To reach our ambitious energy access goals, we need to pursue an integrated approach delivering different energy solutions in a structured and coordinated way, both grid and off grid. This is why I am excited about this new feasibility study which will further advance strategic deployment of mini-grids in Sierra Leone,” he said.
The US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria Brewer said the investment is an example of complementing donor efforts in building a good environment for private sector investment.
The Sierra Leone government recently engaged the World Bank to undertake a 30MW solar project.
“The agreement shows how the donor community can build upon each others’ good works to create the kind of environment that can attract private sector investment, and ultimately help Sierra Leone become self-sufficient,” Brewer said.
The US-based Wind Gen Power USA, Inc., a solar mini-grids company, will conduct the study. The company has installed more than 150 solar mini grids systems in seven East African countries. It is presently expanding its operation to West Africa and is considering using Sierra Leone as its West Africa base.
Sam Slaughter, Chief Executive Officer of Wind Gen Power USA, Inc, said they were excited with the chance to work in Sierra Leone.
Slaughter said, "We're thrilled to be developing a new generation of mini-grids in Sierra Leone for the Ministry of Energy, made possible by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. We believe a decentralized approach to energy infrastructure in Sierra Leone is the ideal complement to the expanding national utility. These mini-grids will help accelerate rural energy access and enable the Ministry of Energy to meet their ambitious electrification goals."
Access to energy across Sierra Leone is extremely low. Almost every survey shows that more than 70% of the country’s population does not have access to energy, a huge chunk of which is in the rural part of the country.
Following the completion of this study, up to 8,630 households in the rural communities will get access to energy in their homes and for their businesses.
© 2019 Politico Online
