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The Minister of Energy, Hon. Cyril A. Grant on Thursday led the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Waterloo Innovent Power Park Project in Waterloo, marking the start of construction on a new facility expected to strengthen electricity supply and support agricultural growth in the Western Area.
The ceremony brought together government officials, project developers, traditional authorities, and members of the host community.
In his keynote address, Minister Grant commended His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio for his consistent support to the government’s energy transformation agenda.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency, we have made energy a national priority. His commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leoneans enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply is what makes projects like the Waterloo Innovent Power Park possible,” Minister Grant said.
He also praised the project contractors for their technical capacity and commitment to delivering on schedule, and thanked the Waterloo community for their cooperation and for making land available for the development.
Minister Grant said the project aligns directly with the government’s Feed Salone Agenda, which seeks to boost food production, agro-processing, and rural livelihoods.
“Reliable electricity is not an end in itself. It is the foundation for irrigation, cold storage, processing, and value addition in agriculture. With stable power, our farmers and agribusinesses can move from subsistence to commercial production,” he said.
The Waterloo Innovent Power Park is designed to increase generation capacity in the Western Area, reduce dependence on emergency power, and improve grid stability for households, schools, health facilities, and businesses.
Local authorities welcomed the project, noting that it will create jobs during construction and operation, and improve access to electricity for nearby communities.
Project developers outlined the construction timeline and environmental safeguards, and committed to engaging local labor and suppliers where possible.
Minister Grant concluded by urging all stakeholders to maintain momentum: “This groundbreaking is a promise. We must now work together to deliver the power that Sierra Leone needs to grow, to feed itself, and to attract investment.”
