Sierra Leone receives money for solar energy project

28 January 2011

A solar energy project in Sierra Leone has received a $20 million (£12.6 million) loan, with the money being used to improve the energy infrastructure of the nation.

The deal, which is being provided by the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), will see street lights erected in various parts of the country, the Concord Times reports.

Finance and economic development minister Dr Samura Kamara said it will allow for affordable solar energy to be made available to 13 different districts in Freetown, the capital and largest city in Sierra Leone.

He added while the intervention by ECOWAS was welcome, the project still requires another $9 million in order to be fully implemented.

"There are a lot of energy problems in Africa and for this reason, we are supporting energy projects in the sub-region [to] ... stimulate vital development and socio-economic activities," said Christian Adovelande, president of the EBID.
 

Category: Energy