By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has commissioned two major solar power facilities with a combined capacity of 40 megawatts under the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention (RESPITE) Project, describing the development as the largest single addition to renewable energy generation capacity in Sierra Leone’s history.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, covered a 30-megawatt solar power plant with a 15-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Newton Village in the Western Area Rural District and a 10-megawatt solar power plant with a 6-megawatt-hour BESS in Lungi, Port Loko District. The projects were developed with support from the World Bank.
Addressing Government officials, development partners, traditional leaders and community stakeholders, President Bio described the occasion as a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s development journey and a powerful statement of national ambition.
“This ceremony is a statement of Sierra Leone’s ambition. It is a declaration that we are investing in our future. It is proof that when vision is matched by determination, partnership and action, transformation becomes possible,” the President stated.
He thanked the World Bank Group for its unwavering support, technical expertise and partnership in bringing the RESPITE Project to fruition, noting that the investment demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration.
Drawing from his personal experiences travelling across the country, President Bio reflected on the daily challenges caused by unreliable electricity supply.
“I have visited schools where students struggle to study after sunset. I have seen healthcare workers striving to save lives under difficult conditions. I have spoken to entrepreneurs who bear the high cost of generators to maintain their operations,” he said.
The President stressed that those experiences have reinforced a simple truth that electricity is not a luxury but a necessity, adding that reliable power drives economic growth, strengthens livelihoods, supports innovation and creates opportunities for national development.
He recalled that when his administration assumed office, fewer than 30 percent of Sierra Leoneans had access to electricity, leaving many communities disconnected from the opportunities that dependable energy can provide.
“Today, Sierra Leone sends a clear message: we are moving forward. We are building an energy future that is cleaner, more reliable, more resilient and more inclusive,” he declared.
President Bio said the combined 40MW solar projects will strengthen the national grid, improve electricity reliability, increase resilience and expand access to power for hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans.
“The electricity generated by this project will do more than just power homes and businesses. It will help preserve medicines in clinics, enable our children to study after sunset, support farmers and agro-processors, and create new opportunities for investment and employment,” he said.
He further described the projects as nation-building investments that will create jobs, strengthen healthcare and education services, stimulate industrial growth and accelerate economic transformation.
The President dedicated the achievement to students who have studied in darkness, healthcare workers who have served without reliable electricity, entrepreneurs who have endured repeated power outages and families that have patiently awaited better energy services.
“We are building a future in which reliable electricity is not a privilege for a few, but a service available to all,” he affirmed.
President Bio also called on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and consumers to strengthen the sustainability of the sector through responsible management and payment for electricity services. He praised former Ministers of Energy, technical experts and the people of Sierra Leone for their patience, commitment and contributions to the sector’s progress.
“I want every Sierra Leonean to know that this Government hears you, understands your concerns and is acting decisively,” he assured.
The President also extended an open invitation to investors, development partners, international financial institutions, climate finance institutions, technology providers and innovators around the world to support Sierra Leone’s energy transformation agenda.
“Sierra Leone is open for investment. Sierra Leone is open for partnership,” he declared.
Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, described the commissioning as a major milestone in the country’s quest for energy transformation and sustainable development.
Providing an overview of the RESPITE Project, the Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Newton and Lungi facilities, noting that they are central to the Government’s policy objective of expanding reliable electricity supply and supporting economic growth.
He emphasized that the projects are expected to positively impact power generation and strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure, while also complementing broader national development priorities, including the Feed Salone agenda.
Chairperson of the ceremony, Ndeye Sesay, commended the Government and development partners for their collaboration and support in making the project a reality.
She praised the commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders and described the commissioning as a significant step towards improving access to electricity and fostering sustainable national development.
The event also featured remarks from the World Bank Country Representative, the Paramount Chief and other stakeholders, all of whom underscored the importance of the RESPITE Project in advancing Sierra Leone’s renewable energy ambitions and supporting long-term socio-economic development.
With reforms continuing across the energy sector, the successful completion of the Newton and Lungi solar power plants marks a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s drive towards energy security, economic transformation and sustainable development.
