FREETOWN – Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, is grappling with power cuts as Turkey’s Karpowership has suspended electricity supply to the city due to an outstanding debt of approximately $40 million, according to the country’s Energy Minister, Kanja Sesay.
The minister disclosed that the accrued debt had developed over time, mainly because the government subsidizes over half of the cost charged per kilowatt-hour by the ship. He further explained that the government’s increased expenditure on subsidies is a result of billing consumers in the local Leone currency, which has experienced significant depreciation against the US dollar, the currency used to pay the power provider. In response to this financial challenge, a government commission has been established to review consumer electricity tariffs, and it is anticipated that these tariffs may double.
Karpowership, recognized as one of the world’s largest operators of floating power plants and a subsidiary of the Karadeniz Energy Group, had previously entered into agreements in 2018 and 2020 to supply electricity to Sierra Leone’s state power utility. This company has similarly engaged with multiple African nations struggling with electricity supply issues.
Karpowership has not issued a statement regarding the suspension of electricity supply.
The company’s website indicates that it has provided Sierra Leone with approximately 65 megawatts of power generation capacity since 2020, fulfilling 80% of the country’s total electricity requirements.
As a consequence of Karpowership’s decision to halt its services, Minister Sesay stated that Freetown has experienced a 13% reduction in electricity supply. This reduction has resulted in electricity rationing across the city, leaving homes and businesses without power for several hours each day.
Freetown currently relies on three sources for its electricity: Karpowership, the country’s hydroelectric dam, and power from an interconnection with Ivory Coast, which also serves Guinea and Liberia.
Minister Sesay clarified that Karpowership’s supply is particularly vital during the dry season when water levels at the nation’s hydro dam are at their lowest. During the rainy season, the country’s dependence on the firm diminishes. Currently, Sierra Leone is in the midst of its peak rainy season, which spans from May to November.
