From January To date… Gov’t Spends $13 Million on Energy Subsidy
During the Chief Minister discussion with Energy experts on increasing access to energy in Sierra Leone, the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay has said that since January to date the Government has spent USD $13 Million to subside energy for SierraLeonean electricity consumers.
“Since January to date, the government of Sierra Leone has spent US$13 million to subsidise energy for Sierra Leonean electricity consumers. Last year, over 700 billion Leones were given as subsidies by the government. This effort by the government is to cushion the cost of energy tariff for consumers,” the Minister said, noting that the current tariff rate did not correspond to the exchange rate.
The Minister of Energy also informed that 54 of the existing solar mini grids were owned by the government, noting that people in rural communities are benefiting from 3 kilowatts per hour for each household from the solar mini grids.
On his parts, the Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, expressed government’s commitment to the maintenance the generator plants at Black Hall Road, which have a generation capacity of 17 megawatts and the Kingtom Power Stations, which have a generation capacity of 10 megawatts.
“Once they are maintained, we will be able to generate over 20 megawatts of electricity. Similarly, plans are underway for the Dodo Hydro Dam in Kenema to be upgraded,” he informed the energy experts.
