Sierra Leone’s Energy ministry on Thursday announced the launching of a 6-megawatt Solar Park project situated in Newton in the Western Rural Area.

The project is aimed at boosting the country’s energy generation with alternative sources, all geared towards improving and increasing access to affordable and sustainable electricity supply to enhance socio-economic development of the country, the energy ministry said in a statement.

The project will cost a total of 18 million US dollars and it will be partly funded by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

The project details entail provision of engineering, procurement and construction expertise and 3000 rural households will be powered through it.
The project implementation is expected to last for 12 months.

In the statement, Energy Minister Henry Macauley said access to electricity was a right to the citizens and not a privilege. He therefore urged the community hosting the project to embrace and protect the facilities.

Welcoming the news, Africa Accelerate director Clare George-Hilley said the project would help provide power to rural households.

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