Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has called on the private sector to join Sierra Leone’s Universal Energy Access ambition.
Dr. Sengeh said: “Our government is clear on its ambition for inclusive quality access to electricity across the country. His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is a passionate advocate for rural electrification and he continues to advocate for the rural, the poor and the most marginalised.
“Currently, in addition to major cities and towns, about 97 communities are connected to minigrids. Per capita, Sierra Leone is a leader in the mini grid and private sector space. There are lots to learn in tariff adjustments, and it is link back to the economy and rural development.
“Today, our ambition is to develop innovative programs on energy for productive use and for public infrastructure. We know there are challenges in the sector, and we are working every day to resolve those. As an example, with the UK, we have fully connected 6 major referral hospitals to solar, thereby saving lives and lowering the burden on the budget.
“This number will expand to 20 over the next couple of months. About 200 community health centers and other major institutions will also go green with support from the World Bank and other partners. In our agricultural hubs, we will work with the European Union to ensure that major farming centers will have renewable energy to power production and processing.
“As our irrigation facilities are developed, we hope to provide energy using reliable and consistent renewable sources. We openly welcome private sector players and other development partners to join us in hitting critical SDG targets. We will introduce the private sector into the generation, and commercial operation and distribution of electricity.
“We will provide the good policy, regulation and incentives for investors and government. Together, private sector, development partners and government, we will deliver universal access”.
