On May 25, 2022, high level government officials from the Ministry of Energy, EDSA, Ministry of Finance and the public private Partnership (PPP) Unit and the Paramount Chiefs conducted a site visit in Yamandu, Baoma Chiefdom to assess the progress of the construction of the new Serengeti Energy funded 5MW solar PV power project.
The first phase of this project is slated to commence operation in July 2022, while the second stage of a further 20MW of new capacity will start construction later in the year. The Serengeti Baoma project will be the first grid connected commercial power project in Sierra Leone. In addition to helping expand electricity access in the Bo-Kenema region, this project is a testament of the government of Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to increase the use of cost-effective renewable electricity generation which will improve modern energy access throughout the country.
The Government of Sierra Leone has projected that, energy demand in the country will grow to 1000MW by 2023. Nearly 80% of households still do not have access to electricity. His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, in his Agenda for Change, declared energy to be one of the key priority areas for his government. The government seeks to provide access to electricity to all communities including the most remote and vulnerable.
The ministerial visit was an opportunity to prepare the landscape for a smooth integration of the new solar power plant in the Bo-Kenema Power Systems and to showcase the smart technology integrated in the project.
Sierra Leone country director for Serengeti Energy, Madam. Sophie Johnson, said, “We are honoured to be at the final stages of the completion of phase I of our solar project. Our mission is to generate clean power and create positive impact in the communities in which we operate. We would like to thank the Government of Sierra Leone and the Honourable Minister of Energy for allowing us to move one step closer towards achieving our goal, we are proud to be able to contribute to the development of the Bo-Kenema area and to empower communities by bringing light to support a brighter future for all.”
Director of Rural Renewables, Ministry of Energy Mustapha Sannoh, thanked representatives from the Serengeti Energy project and the EPC contractors ECOsys for the construction thus far and emphased that the Government of Sierra Leone wish is to have this solar plant up, commissioned and functioning to support the power challenges for the country in the coming months.
Mr. Aaron Browne, representing the Director of Fiscal Risk Management, Ministry of Finance, was impressed with the advancements of the project and the technology used to build its infrastructure. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Representing the community stakeholders, PC Demby thanked President Bio, the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance and EDSA for addressing the power challenges.
He was particularly pleased to see the smart technology and high standards that are used in building this solar project in his home soil.
About Serengeti Energy inhabitants
Serengeti Energy is an independent power producer developing, constructing and operating small to medium sized renewable energy projects up to 50MW in Sub-Sahara Africa. The company has a proven track record in the development, financing, construction, and operation of power plants.
From the headquarters in Nairobi, supported by the offices in West Africa and South Africa, the Serengeti team presently manages a portfolio of 7 operational hydro plants and 2 projects under construction. In addition, the company is developing a significant number of further projects which will serve markets in Africa with affordable and clean power.