By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, in a demonstration of the Government’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, visited Sunbird Bioenergy SL Limited on Friday, March 14, 2025, en route to Kono. His engagement with the company’s Management centered on critical discussions that could shape Sierra Leone’s agricultural and energy landscape, particularly in alignment with the Government’s ‘Feed Salone’ initiative aimed at enhancing domestic production of essential commodities.
A key highlight of the discussions was Sunbird Bioenergy’s strategic plan to construct a state-of-the-art sugar factory, a project poised to revolutionize Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector by boosting local sugar production, reducing dependency on imports and creating thousands of employment opportunities. Sunbird Bioenergy SL Limited, a leader in renewable energy and biofuel production, currently employs 1,400 permanent staff and engages an additional 5,000 seasonal workers. With this expansion, the company is expected to provide even more jobs, thus strengthening the nation’s labor market and empowering local communities.
Another major topic of discussion was the company’s potential role in alleviating Sierra Leone’s ongoing electricity challenges. The Vice President, recognizing the pressing need for a diversified and resilient energy supply, explored avenues through which Sunbird Bioenergy could contribute additional power to the national grid. This move is particularly crucial as the country grapples with energy shortages exacerbated by low water levels at the Bumbuna Hydro Dam, systemic inefficiencies within the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and the high costs associated with outsourcing power supply from private entities like Karpowership.
By leveraging Sunbird’s renewable energy capabilities, the Government aims to mitigate these constraints, ensuring more reliable electricity access for businesses and households across the nation.
Sunbird Bioenergy SL Limited operates as a forward-thinking entity in the renewable energy sector, developing large-scale bioenergy projects that integrate fuel and power production with sustainable agricultural practices. The company’s bioethanol production, derived from sustainable biomass feedstock such as cassava, sugarcane and napier grass, is projected to reach an impressive 85 million liters per year, with an additional 10 million liters allocated for potable ethanol products. This renewable fuel is instrumental in cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to a greener future.
In addition to renewable fuel, Sunbird Bioenergy also generates low-carbon electricity, producing an estimated 275 GWh of renewable power annually. This capability underscores the company’s potential to significantly contribute to the national grid and support industrial energy needs. Furthermore, their integrated agricultural estate in Mabilifu, Bombali District, serves as a model for sustainable farming, incorporating a robust out-grower program that enables local farmers to actively participate in feedstock production. Such initiatives not only bolster food security but also enhance economic resilience among rural farming communities.
Beyond its core energy and agricultural operations, Sunbird Bioenergy diversifies its portfolio through the production of high-value by-products such as extra neutral alcohol (ENA), carbon dioxide (dry ice), sugar and cassava chips. The company remains at the forefront of innovation, exploring the future production of hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green ammonia; products that could place Sierra Leone on the global map of renewable energy advancement.
The Vice President’s visit underscores the Government’s proactive stance in fostering partnerships that drive economic growth, job creation and energy sustainability. By engaging with industry leaders such as Sunbird Bioenergy, the administration continues to demonstrate its resolve to harness homegrown solutions for national development. The collaboration between the Government and private sector players like Sunbird is expected to unlock new opportunities, positioning Sierra Leone as a hub for renewable energy and agro-industrial transformation.
