Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group, Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has ordered all Energy Substation Heads to investigate the recent power outages affecting parts of Freetown.
This directive comes despite the city maintaining a consistent electricity supply of 70 megawatts since January.
Dr. Yumkella made the announcement during an interview on AYV’s Wake Up Sierra Leone, stressing the need for answers regarding the persistent blackouts.
“Fifty percent of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funds are focused on grid stability. If the private sector partner finalizes a deal with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), we will have more than enough for a stable electricity supply,” he stated.
He highlighted the growth in Sierra Leone’s electricity capacity, noting that in 2018, the country’s total installed capacity was 130 megawatts. By the end of 2024, this is expected to increase to 270 megawatts. However, he acknowledged that despite the increase, the supply remains insufficient.
Freetown requires between 130 and 150 megawatts of electricity daily to meet demand, yet it currently receives only 65 to 70 megawatts. Dr. Yumkella attributed this shortfall to insufficient power generation, while also acknowledging the role of Karpowership in bridging the gap by supplying an additional 50 to 60 megawatts.
“We don’t have enough generation capacity, but even if we did, there would still be bottlenecks in distribution due to a lack of sufficient transformers, substations, and other essential infrastructure,” he explained.
According to recent data, there are approximately 350,000 registered electricity consumers in Freetown. However, Dr. Yumkella pointed out that illegal connections and electricity theft further strain the grid.
The ongoing investigation is expected to shed light on the root causes of the blackouts and propose solutions to improve the city’s power stability.
