It could be recalled that the signing ceremony was done by the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay who had earlier refused to sign the Agreement because of “frequent power outages and network instability during the testing operations” especially on the first day of the testing period.
However, since the signing, the electricity supply network has stabilized after the successful testing period went on smoothly.
Most people around Freetown who spoke with this press were of the view that since the Karpowership operations started, there has been a significant improvement in electricity supply in the Western Area.
It could be recalled that when the SLPP came to power in April 2018, President Julius Maada Bio and AlhajiKanjaSesay insisted on renegotiating this particular agreement for the good of the people of Sierra Leone.
After tough and thorough negotiations, the owners of Karpowership agreed to accept 16.4 USc/KWh. On top of that, the Government is not expected to pay any Capacity Charge, no payment for fuel and no hidden charges in the Agreement.
This Agreement represents an annual savings of US$9 million per year for the Government and US$27 million, if the Agreement extends to three years.
International energy experts have described this Agreement as the best energy contract ever signed in this country.
However, official sources at Energy Ministrysay while the Government is remedying the immediate power supply crisis, it is also pursuing medium and long-term arrangements, including the Cote D’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone and Guinea, (CLSG/WAPP) Transmission Line Project, the Western Area Power Generation Project (the CEC project), the Bumbuna II Hydro Project and the 60MW Solar Project, which is supported by the World Bank.
With thorough planning, coordinated investment and commitment by all sector agencies, the Ministry of Energy will continue to enhance access to electricity and other energy related activities throughout the country in alignment with the aims of the Strategic Vision:
- Technical Audit of the Sector-for efficient and sustainable operations
- Robust Reform-In the Generation, Transmission and distribution of power,
- District Capital Electrification-for the decentralization of power.
