Sierra Leone Energy Situation - Revision history

Lisafeldmann at 13:01, 24 June 2025

2025-06-24T13:01:56Z

Lisafeldmann at 13:00, 24 June 2025

2025-06-24T13:00:14Z

Ranisha: /* Further Information */

2020-06-08T13:36:33Z

Further Information

Ranisha: /* Donor/Programm Activities */

2020-06-08T13:33:13Z

Donor/Programm Activities

Ranisha: /* Further Information */

2020-06-08T13:28:57Z

Further Information

Ranisha: /* Further Information */

2020-06-08T13:26:55Z

Further Information

Ranisha: /* Institutional Set up in the Energy Sector */

2020-06-08T13:24:06Z

Institutional Set up in the Energy Sector

Ahmed El-Sherbini: /* Fossil Fuel */

2018-08-17T12:49:04Z

Fossil Fuel

Ahmed El-Sherbini at 12:47, 17 August 2018

2018-08-17T12:47:43Z

Ranisha at 19:46, 10 July 2018

2018-07-10T19:46:35Z

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
-== Hydro Power ==
+=== Hydro Power ===
 In Sierra Leone, hydropower is a major energy source, holding great promise for a country which possesses several rivers that could be exploited for electricity.
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
-== Solar Energy ==
+=== Solar Energy ===
 In February 2017 Sierra Leone was the first African country to sign the "Energy Africa Policy Compact" with the Government of the UK. As part of the compact, the Energy Revolution initiative was launched, committing to reach 250.000 households with modern energy solutions by 2018. A task force was established and within government and private sector the focus shifted notably to renewable energy, especially solar energy.
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
-== Wind Energy ==
+=== Wind Energy ===
 Sierra Leone's best wind velocities indicate a country-wide average of between 3 m/s and 5 m/s, increasing to approximately 8 m/s in some mountainous areas (Metrological Statistics, 2012). There is some indication that wind speeds of 12 m/s are possible in parts of the country, implying that wind energy could be a viable option in selected locations. Wind farms are for instance possible at certain locations such as along the coast line, at sea near the coast line and at some locations in the country.
@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
-== Biomass ==
+=== Biomass ===
 Energy consumption in Sierra Leone is dominated by biomass, which accounts for over 80% of energy used. The largest source of biomass energy is wood fuel followed by charcoal <ref>Statistics Sierra Leone, 2015 Population and Housing Census.</ref> , while the use of agricultural crop residues and bagasse in the sugar industry remains limited. In addition, there is considerable potential (without impacting on food production) to produce bio-fuels from energy crops such as maize and cassava, and processing of charcoal into biochar.
@@ Line 143: / Line 143: @@
 <br/>
-== Biomass for Cooking ==
+==== Biomass for Cooking ====
 According to the 2015 Population and Housing Census <ref>Statistics Sierra Leone,2015 Population and Housing Census.</ref>., 96,8&nbsp;% of the population in Sierra Leone uses firewood or charcoal for cooking. Other sources, including gas, kerosene or electricity account for the remaining 3,2%. 64,7% of the households use firewood and 32,1% use charcoal on a national level. The percentages vary from district to district. In the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions, an average of 83,7% of the population cooks with firewood and an average of 14,5% uses charcoal . In the Western Region, where the capital Freetown is situated, 83,3% of the households use charcoal as the main source of energy for cooking, 8,9% use wood and 7,8% other sources. By way of conclusion, the main energy source for cooking in rural areas is firewood, the main energy source for cooking in urban areas, especially in Freetown, is charcoal. Families who cook with firewood make 3-stone-fires. In urban centres of Sierra Leone, the 3-stone-fires are gradually replaced by clay stoves and metal coal pots in parallel. But, it is noteworthy that 3-stone-fires still play an important role, even in urban centres, because the preparation of food with a longer preparation time (i.e. for festivities), is normally done with a 3-stone-fire.
@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 Westwind Energy produces the "Wonder Stove" in a local clay and metal workshop in Freetown. It fulfills criteria for Improved Cook Stoves, according to tests that EnDev conducted.
 == Fossil Fuels ==
 After Biomass, imported Petroleum Products are the next largest source of power at approximately 13%. Petroleum products importation has been done through refined products like Gasoline or Petrol, Diesel, Marine Fuel Oil, Kerosene, due to the absence of a domestic refinery. The Petroleum Products are consumed mainly in the transport and residential sector. Sierra Leone currently imports all its petroleum products. Petroleum Product importation volume per annum increased by more than 100% between 2000 and 2011. Petroleum products consumption averaged 184,290toe per annum. There is one big thermal oil plant with an installed capacity of 37MW. <ref>UNDP, 2012. National Energy Profile pf Sierra Leone, s.l.: UNDP.</ref>
-<br/>
+<span style="font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">The government lifted the subsidy for petroleum products in the end of 2016. Under the new measures, the pump price for one gallon of gasoline and diesel increased from 62 cents to about 1.57 EUR.</span><br />

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |CES Country Coordinates=8.4844° N, 13.2344° W
 }}
-= Introduction =
+== Introduction ==
 Very few people have access to electricity in Sierra Leone: Approximately 10% to 12% of the urban population and only around 2% of the rural population. Petrol or diesel generators are often used because most of the regions lack a stable public power supply. Kerosene, battery lamps or candles are mainly used for lighting. 96,8% of the population cooks with firewood or charcoal. There is significant potential for the use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy and hydroelectric power.
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 <br/>
-= Energy Situation / Statistics =
+== Energy Situation / Statistics ==
 “Energy statistics are difficult to obtain in Sierra Leone, especially for renewable energy. Although the conventional thermal energy production and consumption patterns have been reported, no consolidated set of statistics exists for the total Energy situation of Sierra Leone.<ref>UNDP, 2012. National Energy Profile pf Sierra Leone, s.l.: UNDP.</ref>
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 <br/>
-= Overall Energy Use =
+== Overall Energy Use ==
 *80% Biomass (mainly for cooking): Wood and Charcoal
@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
-= Renewable Energy =
+== Renewable Energy ==
 “The country possesses vast potential in renewable energy in the form of biomass from agricultural wastes, hydro and solar power, which remain virtually untapped.”<ref>UNDP, 2012. National Energy Profile pf Sierra Leone, s.l.: UNDP.</ref>
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
-= Hydro Power =
+== Hydro Power ==
 In Sierra Leone, hydropower is a major energy source, holding great promise for a country which possesses several rivers that could be exploited for electricity.
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
+== Solar Energy ==
 In February 2017 Sierra Leone was the first African country to sign the "Energy Africa Policy Compact" with the Government of the UK. As part of the compact, the Energy Revolution initiative was launched, committing to reach 250.000 households with modern energy solutions by 2018. A task force was established and within government and private sector the focus shifted notably to renewable energy, especially solar energy.
@@ Line 120: / Line 118: @@
-= Wind Energy =
+== Wind Energy ==
 Sierra Leone's best wind velocities indicate a country-wide average of between 3 m/s and 5 m/s, increasing to approximately 8 m/s in some mountainous areas (Metrological Statistics, 2012). There is some indication that wind speeds of 12 m/s are possible in parts of the country, implying that wind energy could be a viable option in selected locations. Wind farms are for instance possible at certain locations such as along the coast line, at sea near the coast line and at some locations in the country.
@@ Line 128: / Line 126: @@
-= Biomass =
+== Biomass ==
 Energy consumption in Sierra Leone is dominated by biomass, which accounts for over 80% of energy used. The largest source of biomass energy is wood fuel followed by charcoal <ref>Statistics Sierra Leone, 2015 Population and Housing Census.</ref> , while the use of agricultural crop residues and bagasse in the sugar industry remains limited. In addition, there is considerable potential (without impacting on food production) to produce bio-fuels from energy crops such as maize and cassava, and processing of charcoal into biochar.
@@ Line 161: / Line 159: @@
-= <span style="font-size: 21.76px; line-height: 30.464px; background-color: initial">Fossil Fuels</span><br/> =
+==<span style="font-size: 21.76px; line-height: 30.464px; background-color: initial">Fossil Fuels</span>==
 After Biomass, imported Petroleum Products are the next largest source of power at approximately 13%. Petroleum products importation has been done through refined products like Gasoline or Petrol, Diesel, Marine Fuel Oil, Kerosene, due to the absence of a domestic refinery. The Petroleum Products are consumed mainly in the transport and residential sector. Sierra Leone currently imports all its petroleum products. Petroleum Product importation volume per annum increased by more than 100% between 2000 and 2011. Petroleum products consumption averaged 184,290toe per annum. There is one big thermal oil plant with an installed capacity of 37MW. <ref>UNDP, 2012. National Energy Profile pf Sierra Leone, s.l.: UNDP.</ref>
@@ Line 170: / Line 168: @@
-= Policy Framework, Laws and Regulations =
+== Policy Framework, Laws and Regulations ==
 The main recently ratified laws, regulations and compacts, concerning the Energy Sector, with a focus on Renewables at a glimpse are:
@@ Line 192: / Line 190: @@
-= Institutional Set up in the Energy Sector<br/> =
+== Institutional Set up in the Energy Sector ==
 Some observations on the institutional set up of the (Renewable) Energy Sector in Sierra Leone are:
@@ Line 205: / Line 203: @@
-== Donor/Programm Activities<br/> ==
+== Donor/Programm Activities ==
 The [http://www.energy.gov.sl/Rural_Renewable_Energy_Programme.html Rural Renewable Energy Project] funded by DFID is supporting the construction of 94 solar mini-grids in Sierra Leone, amounting to an installed capacity of 5MW&nbsp; in rural communities and is expected to complete by December 2021. The three mini-grid operaters i.e PowerGen, Winch Energy and Energicity have already delieved 7000 connection in the first 50 sites in 2020<ref>5 years on from the launch of Green Mini-Grids Africa – what’s been achieved, and what have we learned? May 2020.https://minigrids.org/5-years-on-from-the-launch-of-green-mini-grids-africa-whats-been-achieved-and-what-have-we-learned/</ref>. To promote PEU of mini-grids, a Call for Proposal are closed in March and the awards are expected to granted in later half of 2020.<br/>
@@ Line 213: / Line 211: @@
 <br/>
+== Key Problems of the Energy Sector ==
 *'''Financing/Investment:''' Especially lack of private investments, lack of economic incentives, support and implementation for PAYGO availability necessary, microfinance should be available for solar businesses, no fully functioning mobile money platform exists
@@ Line 225: / Line 222: @@
 *'''Lack of awareness:''' Missing awareness on quality standards for solar, especially PicoPV products, missing awareness on Improved Cook Stoves , missing awareness on environmental benefits (climate change, health etc.) of solar and improved cook stoves, recycling programme for old batteries necessary
 <br/>
@@ Line 233: / Line 228: @@
+== Further Information ==
 *A much more detailed report on the energy situation is provided in the [http://www.undp.org/content/dam/sierraleone/docs/focusareadocs/undp_sle_energyprofile.pdf National Energy Profile of Sierra Leone], published by the UN in 2012<br/>
@@ Line 249: / Line 243: @@
+*
 [[Publication_-_Policies_and_Regulations_for_Renewable_Energy_Mini-Grids|Publication - Policies and Regulations for Renewable Energy Mini-Grids]]
+== References ==
 <references /><br/>

@@ Line 229: / Line 229: @@
 <br/>
@@ Line 239: / Line 240: @@
 *Useful [http://irena.masdar.ac.ae/?map=1610 IRENA mapping tool] for seeing the wind and solar potential in Sierra Leone
 *A website on the Renewable Energy Sector in Sierra Leone was developped by EnDev and partners [http://www.renewables-salone.info Renewables Salone].
-*[[Publication_-_Mini-Grid_Market_Opportunity_Assessment:_Sierra_Leone|Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment: Sierra Leone]], AfDB and SEFA, Nov 2019.
+*[[Publication - Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment: Sierra Leone|Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment: Sierra Leone]], AfDB and SEFA, Nov 2019.
 <br/>

@@ Line 203: / Line 203: @@
 *There are three Government Learning Institutions that offer courses in Renewable Energy, the Government Technical Institute in Freetown, Kissy Dockyards, the Government Technical Institute in Magburaka and the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.<br/>
 == Donor/Programm Activities<br/> ==
-The [http://www.energy.gov.sl/Rural_Renewable_Energy_Programme.html Rural Renewable Energy Project] funded by DFID is supporting the construction of 94 solar mini-grids in Sierra Leone in 2020, amounting to an installed capacity of 5MW&nbsp; in rural communities. The three mini-grid operaters i.e PowerGen, Winch Energy and Energicity have already delieved 7000 connection in the first 50 sites in 2020<ref>5 years on from the launch of Green Mini-Grids Africa – what’s been achieved, and what have we learned? May 2020.https://minigrids.org/5-years-on-from-the-launch-of-green-mini-grids-africa-whats-been-achieved-and-what-have-we-learned/</ref>. To promote PEU of mini-grids, a Call for Proposal are closed in March and the awards are expected to granted in later half of 2020. <br/>
+The [http://www.energy.gov.sl/Rural_Renewable_Energy_Programme.html Rural Renewable Energy Project] funded by DFID is supporting the construction of 94 solar mini-grids in Sierra Leone, amounting to an installed capacity of 5MW&nbsp; in rural communities and is expected to complete by December 2021. The three mini-grid operaters i.e PowerGen, Winch Energy and Energicity have already delieved 7000 connection in the first 50 sites in 2020<ref>5 years on from the launch of Green Mini-Grids Africa – what’s been achieved, and what have we learned? May 2020.https://minigrids.org/5-years-on-from-the-launch-of-green-mini-grids-africa-whats-been-achieved-and-what-have-we-learned/</ref>. To promote PEU of mini-grids, a Call for Proposal are closed in March and the awards are expected to granted in later half of 2020.<br/>
 Mobile Power is also set to pilot battery rental for electric vehicles on mini-grids developed by Winch Energy<ref>5 years on from the launch of Green Mini-Grids Africa – what’s been achieved, and what have we learned? May 2020.https://minigrids.org/5-years-on-from-the-launch-of-green-mini-grids-africa-whats-been-achieved-and-what-have-we-learned/</ref>.

@@ Line 228: / Line 228: @@
 <br/>
@@ Line 237: / Line 238: @@
 *Useful [http://irena.masdar.ac.ae/?map=1610 IRENA mapping tool] for seeing the wind and solar potential in Sierra Leone
 *A website on the Renewable Energy Sector in Sierra Leone was developped by EnDev and partners [http://www.renewables-salone.info Renewables Salone].
-*[https://greenminigrid.afdb.org/file/654/download Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment: Sierra Leone], AfDB and SEFA, Nov 2019.
+*[[Publication_-_Mini-Grid_Market_Opportunity_Assessment:_Sierra_Leone|Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment: Sierra Leone]], AfDB and SEFA, Nov 2019.
 <br/>

@@ Line 191: / Line 191: @@
 = Institutional Set up in the Energy Sector =
 Some observations on the institutional set up of the (Renewable) Energy Sector in Sierra Leone are:
@@ Line 199: / Line 200: @@
 *There is no separate Rural Electrification Agency. The Ministry of Energy has a Renewable Energy Department and works closely with the President’s Recovery Priorities team. One of the priority sectors is [http://www.presidentsrecoverypriorities.gov.sl/energy Energy], with the key objectives to double acesss to electricity from 125.000 to 250.000 households and double the operational power generation capacity from 75MW to 150MW.
-*Following the launch of the Energy Revolution, the private sector association [http://reasl.com/about-us/ Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL)] was founded, comprising of aprox. 30 members in the beginning of 2018.
+*Following the launch of the Energy Revolution, the private sector association [http://reasl.com/about-us/ Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL)] was founded, comprising of aprox. 30 members in the beginning of 2018.<br/>
-*There are three Government Learning Institutions that offer courses in Renewable Energy, the Government Technical Institute in Freetown, Kissy Dockyards, the Government Technical Institute in Magburaka and the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.
+== Donor/Programm Activities<br/> ==

@@ Line 160: / Line 160: @@
-= <span style="font-size: 21.76px;  line-height: 30.464px;  background-color: initial">Fossil Fuel</span><br/> =
 After Biomass, imported Petroleum Products are the next largest source of power at approximately 13%. Petroleum products importation has been done through refined products like Gasoline or Petrol, Diesel, Marine Fuel Oil, Kerosene, due to the absence of a domestic refinery. The Petroleum Products are consumed mainly in the transport and residential sector. Sierra Leone currently imports all its petroleum products. Petroleum Product importation volume per annum increased by more than 100% between 2000 and 2011. Petroleum products consumption averaged 184,290toe per annum. There is one big thermal oil plant with an installed capacity of 37MW. <ref>UNDP, 2012. National Energy Profile pf Sierra Leone, s.l.: UNDP.</ref>
@@ Line 166: / Line 167: @@
 <br/>
-<span style="font-size: 13.6px;  background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">The government lifted the subsidy for petroleum products in the end of 2016. Under the new measures, the pump price for one gallon of gasoline and diesel increased from 62 cents to about 1.57 EUR.</span><br/>
+<span style="font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">The government lifted the subsidy for petroleum products in the end of 2016. Under the new measures, the pump price for one gallon of gasoline and diesel increased from 62 cents to about 1.57 EUR.</span><br/>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{CES Country|CES Country Name=Sierra Leone
 |CES Country Capital=Freetown
-|CES Country Region Africa = Sub-Saharan Africa
+|CES Country Region Africa=Sub-Saharan Africa
 |CES Country Coordinates=8.4844° N, 13.2344° W
 }}
 = Introduction =