President Julius Maada Bio Calls for Protection of Sierra Leone’s Electricity Infrastructure
During a recent town‑hall meeting in Makeni, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio urged citizens to safeguard public electricity assets and to stop illegal connections and non‑payment of bills. He warned that vandalism, theft of equipment, and meter bypasses are eroding the financial base needed to maintain and expand the nation’s power supply.
The Scope of the Problem
According to the President, between 60 % and 70 % of the electricity consumed in Makeni goes unpaid, placing considerable strain on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) [1]. This revenue shortfall hampers routine maintenance, limits investment in new generation capacity, and contributes to frequent outages that affect households, businesses, and essential services.
Bio highlighted two interrelated challenges:
- Physical vandalism and theft – damage to transformers, cables, and substations disrupts service and forces costly repairs.
- Commercial losses – illegal hookups and meter bypasses deprive the utility of the income required for sustainable operations.
Financial Implications for the Power Sector
The President stressed that “electricity cannot be maintained if people continue to use electricity without paying for it.” Without reliable cash flow, EDSA struggles to fund:
- Preventive maintenance of existing infrastructure.
- Expansion of generation and transmission networks.
- Implementation of smart‑metering and loss‑reduction programs.
Industry analysts note that commercial losses exceeding 50 % are common in many West African utilities and are a key barrier to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) [2].
Government Initiatives to Boost Generation Capacity
Despite the challenges, Bio outlined several ongoing projects aimed at increasing reliable power supply:
- Bumbuna Hydropower Expansion – plans to raise output from the current ~50 MW to meet growing demand.
- Newton Solar Power Plant – a 40 MW facility commissioned two weeks ago, now feeding the national grid [3].
- Nant Power Plant – a 108 MW thermal plant under construction, slated for grid connection upon completion.
- Lungi Solar Project – a 10 MW solar installation nearing completion, expected to improve supply in northern Sierra Leone.
These investments reflect the government’s commitment to delivering stable, affordable, and sustainable electricity nationwide, the President said.
Path Forward: Public Cooperation and Policy Measures
Bio emphasized that infrastructure upgrades alone will not solve the crisis; public participation is essential. He called on communities to:
- Report suspicious activity around power facilities to local authorities.
- Refrain from tampering with meters or making illegal connections.
- Prioritize timely payment of electricity bills through authorized channels.
To support compliance, the Ministry of Energy is exploring:
- Targeted awareness campaigns in high‑loss areas.
- Deployment of prepaid metering systems to reduce bypass opportunities.
- Strengthening penalties for vandalism and theft under the Electricity Act.
Conclusion
President Julius Maada Bio’s appeal underscores a critical truth: the reliability of Sierra Leone’s power supply depends not only on generation capacity but also on the collective responsibility of its citizens to protect and pay for the electricity they consume. By curbing theft, vandalism, and non‑payment, and by backing government‑led infrastructure projects, the country can move closer to a resilient energy future that powers homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses alike.
References
- Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). “Annual Revenue Report 2023.” Freetown, 2024.
- African Development Bank. “Energy Sector Losses in West Africa: Challenges and Solutions.” 2023.
- Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone. “Newton Solar Power Plant Commissioning Press Release.” April 2024.
