Sierra Leone signs a Memorandum of Understanding to develop 100 MW of Renewable Energy projects including Battery Energy Storage Systems (“BESS”)
Freetown, Sierra Leone | 10 April 2025: The Republic of Sierra Leone today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Hecate Global Renewables (HGR), and Africa50 to develop 100 MW of Renewable Energy projects including Battery Energy Storage Systems (“BESS”).
The signed Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) between Hecate Global Renewables (HGR), Africa50 and the Ministry of Energy outlines a road map towards the development of 100MW renewable energy projects including BESS over two phases to expand the country’s electricity generation and supply infrastructure over the next years. Under this MoU, the parties pronounce their clear intention to cooperate in the development of renewable energy projects in the country.
Kono District in Eastern Sierra Leone is to benefit from the development of a 50 MW solar energy project in Bumpe to be connected to the CLSG sub-Station as a first phase. The Ministry of Energy, the US-based company HGR and the pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager Africa50, agreed to develop another 50 MW of solar energy project in the second phase.
Signing on behalf of Africa50, Demba Diallo, Managing Director and head of Project Development said, “This collaboration reflects Africa50’s continued commitment to accelerating Africa’s energy transition through strategic investments in clean energy. It also reinforces our mandate to support our shareholders in delivering on their infrastructure development priorities, in this case, to deliver tangible benefits to the people of Sierra Leone”.
“This is a tremendous achievement, which would not have been possible without the collaboration of many people and institutions. We at HGR are proud to be part of these amazing partners supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in their efforts to increase access to electricity for the socio-economic benefits of the people,” said David Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer for HGR.
Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Sector Lead at the Ministry of Energy and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy (PI-CREF) and the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG) noted that all these efforts are geared towards supporting President Bio’s vision for the energy sector. “As substantive Minister of Energy, President Bio has been clear that we should reform our policies to encourage investors. Today, we are pleased that after months of negotiations and meetings, we are signing this MoU as part of the Government’s efforts to increase access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. Thus, we are excited to partner with HGR and Africa50 and look forward to the work ahead for the benefit of our people.”
Under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, with his bold vision and strategic direction, Sierra Leone’s new energy story places greater reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower and solar photovoltaic technologies. In November 2024, Sierra Leone launched the Just Energy Transition and Investment Plan (ETIP) which calls for investments in 1 gigawatt of power over the next decade. The ETIP embodies Sierra Leone’s national commitment to a transformative vision, one that embraces innovation, climate resilience, and sustainability.
Note to Editors:
About the Ministry of Energy (MoE):
The Ministry of Energy is responsible for formulating and implementing energy policies and projects to ensure the sustainable development of Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
About the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF):
The Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security leverages support for related Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop, manage, coordinate and strategically align public policy and national development efforts to drive effective delivery of climate change actions, universal access to sustainable energy, food and nutrition security programmes in Sierra Leone.
About Hecate Global Renewables Energy: Headquartered in Chicago, HGR is a unique US led independent development company of scale with the capacity to build optimized portfolios. Launched by Hecate Energy, one of the largest developers of private renewable energy in the US, as its new international platform. The international platform has a pipeline of +2GW of projects across Africa. Hecate Energy has completed the development of 4GW PV and 138MWh battery storage, 5.2GW of renewable PPAs, and with 35GW of project pipeline.
About Africa 50:
Africa50 is a pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager that contributes to Africa’s growth by developing and investing in bankable projects, catalyzing public sector capital, and mobilizing private sector funding, with differentiated financial returns and impact. Africa50 currently has 36 shareholders, comprised of 32 African countries, the African Development Bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Bank Al-Maghrib, and The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) of South Africa. For more information, visit: www.africa50.com.
Media Contacts:
PI-CREF: Anthony A.K. Kamara (Jnr) – Director – Partnerships, Communication and Outreach
Tel: +232.78.107.303 | akkamara@statehouse.gov.sl
MoE: Cyril Grant – Executive Technical Advisor | cgrant@pmlsl.com
HGR: Jason Harlan – Chief Operating Officer of HGR | jharlan@hgrenergy.com
Africa50: Nana Boakye-Yiadom – Communications Manager | n.boakyeyiadom@africa50.com