AYV News, July 31, 2024
Sierra Leone’s Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority has said the water-level at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam is still hitting below its normal expectations, which is why Freetown is not getting 24 hours electricity supply.
The Authority said all of this boils down to environmental activities surrounding the main Dam in Kalamthumba village in the Tonkolili district.
It added that in 2023 spillway activation started from 21st July and end on 11th December, with a distribution capacity of 35 magwatts. But as of now, the dam is generating 17 megawatts.
The Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Station aims to provide reliable and inexpensive clean energy to Sierra Leone in West Africa.
Located on the Seli River in the Tonkolili district, the plant has an installed capacity of 50MW in its first phase. In the second phase, it will be expanded to 400MW.
Construction on the 50MW phase one was completed in November 2009, with an investment of $327m. The $750m second phase will add 350MW of additional capacity to the project by 2017. Joule Africa is undertaking the development of phase two as part of an agreement signed with the Sierra Leone Government in May 2011.
Joule Africa initiated the bankable feasibility study for Bumbuna phase two in November 2011. Germany-based Lahmeyer International is carrying out the study in association with CENMATS.
The residents of Sierra Leone will benefit hugely from the project because just five percent of the population in the region have access to electricity.