Sierra Leone Power Plant Energy Storage Construction Project

How has Sierra Leone improved its hydropower capacity?

Sierra Leone expanded its hydropower capacity by building the 50-megawatt Bumbuna hydropower plant. This significantly reduced the cost of power production. Since Bumbuna has been operational, power tariffs fell from $0.41 to $0.31 per kilowatt-hour. Progress has been made in terms of improving operational efficiency.

Does Sierra Leone need a power plant?

Even with the addition of the Bumbuna plant, Sierra Leone‘s power-generation capacity falls short of meeting power demand. Sierra Leone‘s current installed capacity of 13 megawatts per million people is lower than that of other low-income and fragile states.

How has Sierra Leone expanded its generating capacity?

Sierra Leone has significantly expanded its generating capacity. In late 2009, when the 50 megawatt Bumbuna hydropower plant became operational, it almost doubled Sierra Leone‘s existing installed capacity and changed the power-generation mix.

How much does DFC finance a power plant in Sierra Leone?

DFC’s approved financing includes a new loan of up to $292 million to finance the development and upgrade of the power plant’s infrastructure and promote electricity reliability and access throughout Sierra Leone.

How much power does Sierra Leone have?

Sierra Leone’s power capacity estimates at 150-MW with approximately 27.5% of the total population and about 4.9% of the rural population currently having access to electricity.

What is the western area power generation project?

The Western Area Power Generation Project, located in Sierra Leone’s capital of Freetown, aims to help address the country’s rolling blackouts and expand its national electricity system to accommodate additional renewable energy solutions in the future.