By Davida Spaine Solomon
Freetown, 8th April 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone has firmly dismissed claims that electricity is being diverted from Makeni to boost supply in Freetown, describing the assertion as both misleading and technically impossible.
Speaking at the weekly government press briefing, Deputy Minister of Energy I, Edmond Nonie, said Makeni’s power generation capacity stands at just 6 megawatts, far below Freetown’s estimated demand of 100 megawatts, making any alleged diversion unrealistic.
“We will not deprive one city to supply another,” Nonie stated, assuring the public that energy distribution decisions are guided by capacity realities, not political preference.
His clarification comes amid growing public frustration over erratic electricity supply, particularly in the northern towns of Makeni and Magburaka. Nonie, however, confirmed that recent outages in those areas were due to maintenance work, which has now been completed, with supply expected to be restored.
Providing a broader update, the Deputy Minister outlined the current electricity situation across the country. Bo, Kenema, and Kono are each receiving approximately 15 megawatts of power, while Port Loko is supplied with 1 megawatt and Lunsar with 1.25 megawatts.
In Moyamba, electricity is sustained through a combination of solar power and generators, while districts such as Kailahun, Bonthe, and Pujehun rely entirely on generator-powered supply.
Kambia Town, he added, has recently been electrified, marking a significant milestone with 275 homes now connected to the grid from previously having no access.
Despite these efforts, Nonie acknowledged a persistent imbalance between operational costs and revenue generation, noting that the government continues to subsidize fuel to maintain supply nationwide.
Turning to the capital, Nonie attributed the recent drop in electricity supply to seasonal factors. The Bumbuna hydroelectric dam, a key power source for Freetown, is currently producing only about 5 megawatts due to reduced water levels during the dry season.
This sharp decline has significantly constrained the city’s electricity availability, further compounding supply challenges.
In a move to improve service delivery, the Ministry of Energy, in partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has launched a chatbot platform to handle electricity-related complaints and inquiries.
The system is designed to allow the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to process large volumes of customer feedback more efficiently, reducing delays and improving response times.
As public demand for stable electricity continues to grow, the government’s message remains clear: while progress is being made, structural limitations and seasonal pressures still pose significant hurdles.
