We Will Ensure This Current Electricity Supply Is Sustainable” Chairman Yumkella Assures the Public

“We Will Ensure This Current Electricity Supply Is Sustainable” Chairman Yumkella Assures the Public

By: Musa Kamara

On Friday, June 13, 2025, at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Energy’s conference room in Freetown, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chariman and Sector Lead of the Ministry, delivered a strong message of assurance to the public: the lights will stay on.

The briefing, moderated by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah, followed concern over electricity sustainability in the capital due to the looming phased reduction of output from the Turkish Karpowership. Despite that challenge, Freetown continues to enjoy relatively stable electricity supply, a success Chairman Yumkella attributes to strategic planning and coordinated effort.

Dr. Yumkella opened by commending 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.

“The impending power cut from Karpower 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.”

Chairman Yumkella detailed 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.

Dr. Yumkella also announced a promising development: 10 MW of additional power will soon be sourced from neighbouring Guinea, following his recent diplomatic and technical visit to the country. This will be a major addition to the current generation capacity. 

While acknowledging that Sierra Leone is facing an “energy emergency,” Dr. Yumkella emphasized that the crisis is manageable, and the vision is long-term sustainability.

“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 affirmed.

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 not only to stabilize current supply but also 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. Insh’Allah, we will get it done, together and for the future of Sierra Leone.”

As Sierra Leone pushes forward under challenging global and local conditions, the clarity of vision shared by Chairman Yumkella and his team is a signal of hope, and a call to collective responsibility.