(Ecofin Agency) - Bumbuna Hydroelectric Phase II project will provide 143 MW additional power to Serra Leonean grid, the country’s deputy minister of energy, Osmond Hanciles, revealed.

“Initially, SELI Hydropower [ed.: the company in charge of work] intended to implement the Bumbuna II produce so that it would produce 365 megawatts electricity, and supply to major historic towns in Tonkolili District. But President Koroma said in as much as he wanted to provide electricity to all Sierra Leoneans, he actually wants the people to stay within their environment and that they should not be disturbed by the project”, Said Patrick Olufemi Beckley, chairman of SELI Hydropower.

SELI Hydropower has just completed the plant’s environmental and social impact assessments. The government can thus require an authorization, thanks to which the company can start working, from the national environment protection agency (EPA). Authorities hope that works, which will last 4 years, will begin by the second semester of 2018.

Actually, Sierra Leone’s electrification rate stands at 20%. According to Osmond Hanciles, it will increase to 30% once the project will be completed.

Gwladys Johnson Akinocho