By Sahr Nepor
The Electricitè De Guinea (EDG) has on the 30th October, 2023 played host to Sierra Leone’s delegation in its Conference Hall,Conakry, Capital of Guinea.The team which constitutes representatives from the Ministry of Energy (MoE), Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit and Law Officers Department (LOF) discussed and negotiated Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the two countries with the view of strengthening bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea on electricity production, power purchase, transmission and distribution.
Welcoming the team from Sierra Leone, the Director General of EDG, Mr. Laye Sekou Camara* expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Sierra Leone for sustaining and promoting strong cooperation between the two nations.
He stated that Sierra Leone and Guinea are sister countries, adding that both nations have common interests and challenges. He futher assured the Sierra Leone delegation that the meeting would focus on negotiation of Power Purchase Agreement and assures of a win-win situation for both parties.
In his response, Ing. James Rogers, Deputy Director General, EDSA* echoed President Julius Maada Bio’s government’s commitment to providing sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity supply to Sierra Leoneans, which he stated was the very reason for the visit.
He furthered that with the rapid growth and expansion rate in Sierra Leone’s energy Sector, there was an urgent need to tap into Guinea’s growing energy reserves with the view of providing the much needed energy generation requirements to cater for the energy needs of Sierra Leoneans.
On his part, during the negotiation process, the Ag. Public Private Partnership Director, Mohamed Abu disclosed that since EDG’s energy sources are mainly hydraulic, EDSA would require 50 Megawatts from January to June 2024 and 20 Megawatts from July to December respectively at a much lower cost with a single digit tariff.
He emphasized that EDSA intends to enter into a two-year contract agreement with EDG, which he said would be flexible and subject to review when necessary.
In his concluding remarks, EDG’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Abdoulaye Kone reassured the Sierra Leonean delegation that all necessary arrangements to embark on the transmission line testing are underway and would be completed by end of December, 2023.
To this end, both parties agreed to escalate the agreed points and unresolved issues to higher Authorities for prompt resolution and consequent signing of the contract.
The engagement ended on amicable closing courtesies which saw both parties share common handshakes, marking the end of the most anticipated engagement.
