AYV News, January 23, 2025
Scatech-RELEASE, a leading Norwegian energy company, has announced plans to invest in a significant renewable energy project in Kamakwei town, Karene district.
The initiative aims to provide 40 megawatts (MW) of sustainable power to the region, addressing ongoing electricity shortages and supporting local development efforts.
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, head of Sierra Leone’s energy sector and chair of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security (PI-CREF), visited Kamakwie town, where he and a team of engineers assessed a site for the new 40 MW solar PV plant.
This facility is intended to enhance the 33KV BUSBAR Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) Interconnector substation in the area, a project inspired by the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.
The solar plant aims to provide electricity to Freetown and over seven communities in the Karene district within 12 months. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Energy, is supported by Scatech Release, a Norwegian company working alongside the Government of Sierra Leone.
This solar project will be integrated into Sierra Leone’s national grid, directly benefiting Freetown’s electricity supply. This effort forms part of a broader strategy to enhance energy access and sustainability across the country, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth through improved energy infrastructure.
During his visit, Dr. Yumkella engaged community residents and highlighted the significance of community ownership in energy projects. He reiterated President Bio’s commitment to guaranteeing sustainable energy access for all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliation or region.
The initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing energy infrastructure and improving living conditions in the region.
