“We Will Ensure This Current Electricity Supply Is Sustainable,” Chairman Yumkella Assures the Public
Freetown, Friday, June 13, 2025 – “The lights will stay on,” said Dr. Kandeh Yumkella t a press briefing held at the Ministry of Energy’s conference room at Electricity House as he addressed concerns about looming phased reduction of power supply from the Turkish Karpowership. “The impending power cut from the Karpowership did not take us by surprise,” he noted. “We anticipated it, we prepared for it, and today we are proud to say the lights are still on.”
Despite the reduction in supply, Freetown continues to enjoy relatively stable electricity supply. The success, he said, is the result of strategic planning and coordinated effort by all in the ministry of Energy. He commended the leadership of the Ministry, including Deputy Ministers 1 and 2, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), and engineers stationed at key substations such as Kingtom. “Their quick response and foresight,” he said, “ensured that the potential crisis was averted.”
To showcase how strategic planning and coordination helped to keep the lights on, Chairman Yumkella showed the diversified sources currently sustaining power in Freetown:
- Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant, 18.6 MW
- CLSG (Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Interconnection), 23 MW
- Combined 161kV line output (BHEPP & CLSG), 41.6 MW
- Niigata Generators 7 & 8 – 9 MW
- Karpowership (limited to essential services) – 5.6 MW
Together, these sources contribute a total dispatch of 56.29 MW to EDSA’s distribution grid, surpassing the target of 50 MW. He also noted that 10 MW of additional power will be sourced from neighbouring Guinea, following his recent visit to the country. “This will be a major addition to the current generation capacity,” he underscored.
Acknowledging that Sierra Leone is experiencing an “Energy Emergency,” Dr. Yumkella emphasized that the crisis is manageable, while pursuing long-term sustainability of the sector. “Yes, I can assure the public that we will do everything possible to make this sustainable and keep the lights on, as President Bio has instructed us to do.”
He credited President Julius Maada Bio for steering the energy sector personally and setting clear expectations: achieve energy sovereignty. Yumkella noted that the government’s ambition is to stabilize current supply and to transform the energy landscape for generations to come.
“We are planning with intention, backed by the political will, partnerships, and strong leadership. If other nations can achieve reliable and affordable energy, we can do the same here. Insha’Allah, we will get it done, together and for the future of Sierra Leone.”