Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has told the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera that the government aims to have cheaper energy sources so as to lower tariff for the citizens.

He made this remarks during a visit to the six megawatts solar park in Newton, Western Area Rural District, by the IRENA Director-Director, whose organization provided the funds for the construction of that particular solar park.

He disclosed that Bumbuna Hydro Dam in Tonkolili district and the Dodo Hydro Dam in Kenema District were the cheapest sources of energy in the country, noting that Bumbuna Hydro sells at 3-5 cents per kilowatts hour.

“We are also exploring ways to embark on biomass in which energy could be generated from wastes. There are heaps of wastes in Pujehun from SOCFIN Agricultural Project and those mining companies in Tonkolili district. These could be transformed into biomass so as to generate electricity for the country,” he said.

He noted that Sierra Leone has a potential to generate 150-200 megawatts electricity from renewable energy, adding that clean energy was the surest way to go.

Dr. Yumkella stated that Sierra Leone was blessed to have enough rivers and rainfall which could be harnessed for additional hydro dams.

He acknowledged that transfer of knowledge was central to the sustainability of the solar panels across the country, noting that plans were underway to train some Sierra Leoneans on how to maintenance defunct solar panels.

Deputy Minister of Energy I, in the Ministry of Energy, Dr. Eldred Taylor, said the six megawatts solar park at Newton has been up and running since 2021.

“The funds to set up this park was provided by IRENA. Currently, this park gives out 4.9 megawatts electricity at peak load,” he explained, disclosing that the solar park currently occupies 10 acres of land in the Newton community.

He noted that the Ministry of Energy has already acquired 220 acres of land around the solar park, thereby paving a way for the installation of more solar panels when the need arises.

IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, expressed delight that the funds provided by his organization have benefited the people of Sierra Leone.

He pledged his organization’s support to the development of more renewable energy sources for the people of Sierra Leone.