A delegation from China Henan International Co-operation Group Co. Ltd (CHICO) visited the Ministry of Energy in Freetown as part of a fact-finding mission to explore opportunities to enhance the energy sector in Sierra Leone.
Chief Director Engineer Benjamin opened the meeting in the ministry’s conference room. He underscored the pressing need for increased power capacity to bolster the country’s economic growth. This emphasis on the urgency of the situation conveys the gravity of the energy needs. He expressed the ministry’s strong interest in collaborating with CHICO to meet these energy demands.
During the meeting, the CHICO team presented an overview of their successful energy projects in various countries, including previous work in Sierra Leone. The presentation highlighted their capacity and technology to deliver large-scale energy solutions.
Following the presentation, Chief Director Engineer Benjamin outlined the following steps, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Energy and CHICO. The MOU will pave the way for feasibility studies and further discussions involving key government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Planning, Finance, Justice, EDSA, and EGTC.
If all parties agree, the final document will be submitted to Parliament for approval, including the financial model, power purchase agreement, implementation agreement, interconnection agreement, and land agreement. This approval will formalize the partnership and secure CHICO’s investment in Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
The Chief Director concluded the meeting by thanking CHICO for their visit and expressing optimism about future collaborations. He highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership, including possible involvement in the ongoing 6MW solar power project in the country’s eastern region.
Credit: Correspondent: Alhassan Bangura
