InfraCo Africa and PowerGen have been working together in Sierra Leone since 2019, rolling out solar hybrid mini grids across the south and east of the country as part of the country-wide Rural Renewable Energy Project (REPP). As the RREP draws to a close, the Government of Sierra Leone remains committed to the country’s growing off-grid energy sector.
PowerGen’s Country Manager for Sierra Leone, Hassan Suma, said: “PowerGen is excited to be working with InfraCo Africa and SEforAll as part of the UEF’s results-based financing programme. We support the UEF’s mandate to increase energy access through minigrid connections, as we have seen first-hand the positive impact a solar minigrid connection can have on households and the community at large, including improvements in education, healthcare and increased economic activity.” He continued: “We hope to work with the UEF to further expand our services to some of the hardest to reach areas, to deliver reliable solar electricity to previously off-grid areas, and to continue to be the leading renewable energy utility company of Sierra Leone.”
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, said: “The Universal Energy Facility will help improve electricity access in communities across Sierra Leone. Mini grids supported by the facility will power households and businesses, creating jobs and economic growth within these communities.”
PowerGen and InfraCo Africa will draw on their experience of delivering mini grids in rural and remote locations to high standards of health, safety, environmental and social governance, with the construction of the first UEF-supported sites expected to commence in March 2023.
