01/07/2025
Alhaji Dr Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella Launches Push for “Energy Sovereignty” in Line with President Bio’s Vision
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group, has announced the beginning of what he describes as “energy sovereignty” a concept aligned with President Bio’s vision. According to Dr. Yumkella, this marks the pursuit of what President Bio refers to as “energy sovereignty.
Today marks the beginning of our pursuit of what President Bio calls “energy sovereignty,” he stated. The announcement was made on his page on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.
He noted that by renewing KPS for just one year instead of three, we’re ensuring a smooth transition. Adding that recent weeks have broken the myth and mindset that we can’t survive without emergency power. Within 12 months, we will mainly rely on our generation capacity and cheaper regional energy trade.
Guinea is our newest supplier of power to Sierra Leone at a tariff cheaper than emergency power. Thanks to our colleagues in the Ministry of Finance, we have established a debt payment plan with KPS at a lower interest rate with KPS (at 12% instead of 16% interest). He stated.
Dr. Yumkella also stated that under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, we will undertake the following actions:
With the RESPITE, Wartsilla, and other projects, add over 50 megawatts to our energy systems in the next few months.
With Nant Phase 1, increase supply to Freetown by an additional 60 megawatts by the end of 2026, tripling current capacity.
Expand rural electrification with more mini-grids and connect three key towns to CLSG.
Last week, we started a tender process for a distributed power supply program of 25MW each for Freetown.
With the support of the World Bank, African Development Bank, SEforAll, and other partners, secure the signing of the Sierra Leone Mission 300 Compact, a
multi-billion-dollar investment plan to achieve at least 70% electricity access and 25% clean cooking access by 2030.
As we embark on this journey, I ask for your continued patience and prayers. Energy sovereignty transcends politics; it’s about the future of Sierra Leone, the land we all love. He concluded.
