Planet One, in collaboration with Frontier Energy, aims to boost Sierra Leone’s solar capacity in the coming years by developing 50 MW of installed capacity. Following the conclusion of COP28 on December 12, 2023, in Dubai, various international financial institutions have committed $52 million to fund this initiative.
Frontier Energy, alongside the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), British International Investment (BII), and Proparco—the private sector financing arm of the French Development Agency (AFD)—will collectively raise the funds. “The 50 MW solar project in Sierra Leone is a testament to the development and execution capabilities of Frontier and Planet One. Despite challenging conditions, we have delivered on our joint commitment to provide stable, clean, and affordable electricity,” says Lars Tejlgaard Jensen, Frontier Energy’s Chief Investment Officer and Partner.
According to him, the project will benefit urban and rural consumers, “as well as commercial and industrial entities, thereby promoting solid growth in economic activities in several regions”. At present, almost 80% of Sierra Leone’s population still has no access to electricity. According to Proparco, the development of an installed capacity of 50 MW will increase domestic electricity supply by 30% in this West African country.
The project is being developed on four sites. The largest solar plant, with a capacity of 25 MWp, will be built in Makoth and will be connected to the 161 kV Freetown/Bambuna transmission line to supply electricity to the capital, Freetown. The BO/Kenema (12 MW), Kono (10 MW), and Port Loko (4.5 MW) solar power plants will supply electricity directly to the Bo, Port Loko, and Koidu regions.
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), responsible for public service in Sierra Leone, will purchase the generated electricity. Sierra Leone, with one of the world’s lowest per capita installed electricity capacities at around 105 MW for a population exceeding 7 million in 2018, relies predominantly on biomass for energy consumption, as highlighted in a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report. About 80% of the country’s energy consumption comes from biomass, with firewood as the primary source, followed by charcoal.
