The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Monday 25 November 2024 debated and unanimously ratified Solar Electrification Agreements for Waterloo, in the Western Rural District and Lungi in the Port Loko District respectively.
The following Agreements were ratified by the Parliament of Sierra Leone:
1. Power Purchase Agreement by and Between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Innovent SAS Waterloo Innovent Solar Park (WISP) Limited Relating to the A 15-30 MW Solar Power Grid connected project in Waterloo, Samuel Town in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone dated 26th August 2024.
2. Implementation Agreement by and Between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Innovent SAS Waterloo Innovent Solar Park (WISP) Limited Relating to the A 15-30 MW Solar Power Grid Connected Project in Waterloo, Samuel Town in the Western Area, Republic of Sierra Leone dated 26th August 2024.
3. Power Purchase Agreement by and Between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Lungi Power Development Relating to A 65 MWP Solar Plant and Battery Storage Solution and Related Infrastructure, Located North of Freetown in the Kaffu Bullum Chiefdom of Sierra Leone, Dated 13th August 2024.
4. Interconnection Agreement Between the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company and Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Lungi Power Development Limited Relating to the 65 MWP Solar Plant and Battery Storage Solution and Related Infrastructure, Located at Kaffu Bullum Chiefdom in Sierra Leone Dated 13th August 2024.
5. Connection Agreement by and Between the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Waterloo Innovent Solar Park (WISP) Limited Relating to The A 15-30 MW Solar Power Grid connected Project in Waterloo, Samuel Town in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dated 26th August 2024.
Presenting the Government Motion, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr. Eldred Taylor said the Project Agreements were very transformative and strategically important for the energy sector, intended to generate renewable electricity. The initiatives, the Deputy Minister said are to be implemented on a build, operate and transfer arrangements. According to him, the projects would play a critical role in the achievement of the electricity with sustainable energy target and would boost the economy of Sierra Leone.
While highlighting the strategic importance of the agreements, the Deputy Minister categorically stated that the projects are inline with the Government aspiration to improve renewable energy and ensuring stable power supply. He noted that the Agreements is also inline with the international bench relative to climate mitigation adding that the tariffs are cost effective and affordable for the ordinary citizens.
The Deputy Minister also elucidated the overview of the projects, relative to battery storage to enhance sustainable electricity, efficient transportation of energy to improve on power distribution in the Western Area and Lungi. The Lungi Project the Deputy Minister said is a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Agreements, emphasizing that upon completion, the ownership of the project would be transferred to the Government.
The Deputy Minister also explained the economic and social impact of the agreement which includes the enhancement of power supply, foster economic development for households, job creation, boost productivity, address environmental challenges amongst others.
He also informed the House that the projects have financial consideration including the lowest electricity tariffs in the Country.
Commencing the the debate, the Chairman of the Energy Committee in Parliament, Hon. Keikura C. Vandy from Bo District, lauded the Agreements and efforts of the Government for improving on electricity in Lungi and Waterloo. He intimated the House that the Project Agreements are led by indigenous people. He disclosed that the tariff is going to be changed at 12 cent kilowatt per hour, which is lower than the current tariff which is 18 cent kilowatt per hour and would be reduced in subsequent years to lower single digit per tariff. He told colleague MPs that the Kaffu Bullum people would benefit from lot of Corporate Social Responsibility including upgrading the Lungi Mini stadium and two bridges, adding that the investors are responsible.
The Chairman informed the House that transmission and distribution problems would be addressed in the Waterloo Area. He assured colleague MPs that the projects are environmental friendly and would enhance job creation. He appealed to the House to speedily ratify the Agreements.
The Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District, said the Agreement is one of the models some of them have been advocating for. He added that robust Public/Private partnership is very essential in the electricity sector. The MP informed the House that the model needed to be replicated in other areas to enhance sustainable electricity.He underscored the participation of indigenous people in light of knowing the challenges of the sector and would address the foreign exchange problem as well. The MP emphasized that Sierra Leone had the potential to generate diverse renewable energy and the solar type is just one mean that would reduce cost on Government and mitigate environmental hazards. He underscored that water and electricity were essential basic facilities that any Government could provide for it’s people. He said Lungi and Waterloo had been yearning to have such opportunities for several years and noted that Lungi is the image-maker for the Country and deserves to have electricity. He also noted that Waterloo was rapidly growing with it’s new tarmac roads and connections to nearby communities and deserved better electricity. The MP noted that the Agreements are not political but developmental adding that, a country could not develop without energy. He emphasized that electricity would ease the economic management of the people especially for their food preservation.
On her part, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara from Kono District, used the opportunity to describe the Agreements as wonderful things and went on to say that the initiatives would serve as laudable move to attract other investors. The MP alluded that Sierra Leone has lot of resources for renewable energy. She underscored the provisions of renewable energy adding that, the beneficiaries would be able to preserve their food commodities from being perishable. The MP spoke on the affordability for the people and expressed optimism for the connectivity of solar to address sustainable electricity across the country.
Deputy Leader 2 of Opposition, Hon Aaron Aruna Koroma from Tonkolili said they as Opposition are part of Government and would support what is good and commended the Ministry of Energy and others. He described the Agreements as the most giant steps gear towards climate adaptation. The MP noted that the world is now moving towards that trend and Sierra Leone must follow. He said having solar energy is a step in the right direction and stressed that the cost of the tariff is relatively cheaper. He used the opportunity to decry the high tariffs of some existing solar electrification in the Provinces. The projects he said would give visibility to Lungi and improve the economy and power distribution and transmission. He appealed to the companies on social aspect especially for Lungi. He raised concerns for clarification from the Deputy Minister and finally alluded that the Agreements were not contentious.
Leader of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo said the essence of the Agreements surpassed the supply of electricity and went to acknowledged the Paris Agreement on Climate mitigation adding that Sierra Leone is not only a signatory to same, but beneficiary. He informed the House that the Country is envisaging climate change and these Agreements would promote in that direction.
The Opposition Leader said Lungi is the first impression of the Country, but currently envisaged electricity challenge. He appealed to the Deputy Minister to improve on electricity in that township. He used the opportunity to raise concern over the recent Airport Agreement adding that, the people are not benefiting as compared to the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Agreements before them. He applauded the company for their gesture to the Lungi Mini Stadium and bridges . He advised the Government to learn from past electricity Agreement in light of payment challenges and apply best ideas to these Agreements. He thanked the companies.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon.Bashiru Silikie thanked the Opposition Leader. He used the opportunity to denounce the high cost of tariff levied by a solar electrification in his community and commended the Agreements for the affordable tariff. The Acting Leader thanked the Deputy Minister for such laudable projects especially for the conglomeration of industries in Waterloo couple with potential job creation for the people and also for economic reasons. He used the opportunity to call on the oversight Committee of Parliament to conduct robust oversight on the implementation of the projects to ensure due diligence.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone.
