By John Kelly Marah
In a significant milestone for energy access, the Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and other development partners, officially commissioned the Kassirie Mini Grid project.
This initiative marks a transformative moment for Kassirie, bringing clean and reliable electricity to a community that previously relied entirely on fossil fuel generators.
The solar-powered mini-grid, with a capacity of 67kW and a battery storage of 204kWh, represents the third project under the Universal Energy Facility (UEF). Managed by SEforALL, the UEF leverages results-based financing to promote sustainable energy solutions across underserved regions. This project directly benefits 54% of households, businesses, and public institutions in Kassirie, positively impacting thousands of lives.
Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “The Universal Energy Facility’s RBF programme will transform Kassirie and Kambia District. By powering homes, schools, and healthcare facilities with clean, reliable energy, we’re creating opportunities, improving healthcare, enhancing education, and empowering communities to thrive.”
The project aligns with Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan, supporting the government’s commitment to expanding rural electrification and driving economic growth.
Additionally, Anita Otubu, Senior Director of the Universal Energy Facility, highlighted the critical role of donor contributions in driving transformative change. “The Kassirie mini-grid project showcases how donor funding catalyzes development. Reliable electricity enhances economic activities, public services, and resilience in previously unelectrified communities,” Otubu said. She expressed gratitude to donors like the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and partners such as the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the European Union Delegation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Moreover, the event also highlighted the European Union Delegation’s EUR 20 million commitment to support Sierra Leone’s Results-Based Financing mechanism. This funding aims to electrify an additional 35,000 rural households and businesses, fostering long-term development and resilience in underserved regions.
This groundbreaking initiative underscores Sierra Leone’s vision for an inclusive energy future, where no community is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
