By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, has announced the launch of “Mission 300,” a transformative $2.2 billion energy initiative aimed at overhauling Sierra Leone’s electricity sector by 2030.
During a press conference at the Ministry of Information on Tuesday, Dr. Yumkella revealed that the plan has garnered official support from the World Bank and other international development partners.
The initiative aims to elevate the country’s installed electrical capacity from the current 271 MW to over 1,000 MW, increase national electrification from 36% to 78%, and enhance the share of renewable energy from 46% to nearly 52% within five years.
“Mission 300” is structured around five foundational pillars:
- Enhancing Generation Capacity
- Facilitating Regional Energy Commerce
- Decentralizing Solutions, such as mini-grids and solar household systems
- Empowering Critical Public Services in sectors like health and education
- Reforming the Utility Sector for improved efficiency and sustainability
Dr. Yumkella also underscored the public health implications of unsafe cooking practices, which claim up to 50,000 lives annually in Sierra Leone.
The initiative anticipates that Independent Power Producers will contribute $600 million, with the remaining funds allocated for improvements in transmission, distribution, off-grid solutions, clean cooking projects, and capacity-building efforts.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Dr. Yumkella stated that Mission 300 represents a pivotal move towards ensuring universal access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy, positioning Sierra Leone for enhanced energy security and economic growth.
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