AYV News, June 11, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, has addressed public concerns regarding recent electricity interruptions, particularly in Freetown, assuring citizens that government is implementing both short-term and long-term measures to improve power supply across the country.
Speaking on the current energy situation, the Minister explained that the recent outages were largely caused by seasonal reductions in water levels at the BumbunaHydroelectric Dam as well as scheduled annual maintenance on one of the facility’s turbines.
According to Mr. Grant, the maintenance work has now been completed, enabling the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Plant to generate between 9 and 10 megawatts of electricity. He added that electricity supplied by Karpowership and thermal generation facilities continues to complement Bumbuna’s output and support the national grid.
The Minister announced that President Julius Maada Bio is expected to commission the completed 30-megawatt solar power project at Newton on 10 June 2026.
He noted that the project includes a 15-megawatt battery storage system designed to improve the stability and reliability of electricity supply to the Freetown distribution network.
Mr. Grant further disclosed that a 20-megawatt solar power project is currently under construction at Benguema, while another 10-megawatt solar generation facility is being developed in Lungi under the Regional Emergency Solar Project.
The Minister also provided an update on the Nant Energy Project, revealing that turbine equipment has already been delivered to the project site and that implementation remains on schedule.
According to him, the project is expected to generate 60 megawatts of electricity during its first phase in the first quarter of 2027 before expanding to a total capacity of 108 megawatts later in the same year.
In addition, the Government has signed agreements valued at approximately US$70 million to support the expansion of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project. The expansion is expected to add between 50 and 60 megawatts of additional generation capacity and significantly boost electricity production during the rainy season.
The Energy Minister expressed confidence that substantial improvements in electricity generation and supply will become evident beginning in the first quarter of 2027 as several ongoing projects are completed and integrated into the national grid.
He emphasized that the Government’s energy strategy extends beyond generation capacity and includes significant investments in substations, transmission lines, transformers, and distribution infrastructure to ensure that increased electricity production translates into improved service delivery for households and businesses.
Mr. Grant concluded by stressing the critical role of reliable electricity in national development, noting that a stable power supply is essential for attracting investment, supporting industrial growth, creating employment opportunities, and driving Sierra Leone’s long-term economic transformation.
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable and reliable electricity as part of broader efforts to accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens across the country.
