Karpower One-Year Contract Extension: A Preparation For Smooth Transition…Says KKY
By VOS Writer
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella has described the recent one-year extension of the Karpowership (KPS) contract as a strategic move to ensure a smooth transition toward what President Bio calls “energy sovereignty.” According to the former presidential candidate and current energy lead, the decision to reduce the extension from three years to one reflects a growing national confidence in Sierra Leone’s capacity to generate and manage its own power.
“This marks the beginning of our journey towards ending dependency on emergency power,” Yumkella stated. He pointed to recent developments that demonstrate the country’s increasing ability to rely on local generation and cheaper regional energy trade—citing Guinea as Sierra Leone’s newest and more affordable electricity supplier.
Yumkella also highlighted progress in debt negotiations with KPS, securing a lower interest rate (12% instead of 16%) with support from the Ministry of Finance.
He outlined a five-point plan to bolster national energy supply:
1. RESPITE and Wartsila projects are expected to add over 50 megawatts in coming months.
2. Nant Project Phase 1 aims to boost Freetown’s supply by 60 megawatts by the end of 2026.
3. Expansion of rural electrification through mini-grids and CLSG connections.
4. Tender process launched for 25MW distributed power supply for Freetown.
5. Sierra Leone Mission 300 Compact—a multi-billion dollar initiative to achieve 70% electricity access and 25% clean cooking by 2030.
“As we move forward, I ask for continued patience and prayers,” Yumkella said. “This is not about politics. It’s about the future of SierraLeone”.
