President Bio Announces 50MW Expansion at Bumbuna Hydroelectric Plant

President Julius Maada Bio has announced that the Government of Sierra Leone is planning to increase electricity generation at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Station by an additional 50 megawatts as part of ongoing efforts to improve the country’s electricity supply and reduce the persistent power deficit.

The President made the announcement while responding to questions on the country’s electricity challenges during the Presidential Town Hall Meeting held in Makeni on Tuesday.

He disclosed that Sierra Leone currently generates about 150 megawatts of electricity against an estimated national demand of approximately 400 megawatts, leaving a significant gap between supply and demand.

According to President Bio, the planned expansion of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Station is expected to strengthen the national grid and improve electricity availability across the country as government continues to invest in expanding energy infrastructure.

Addressing concerns over the reliability of electricity supply, the President stressed that achieving a stable power sector requires not only government investment but also the active participation of citizens in protecting public infrastructure.

He strongly condemned the theft and vandalism of electricity facilities, including transformers and utility poles, describing such acts as a major obstacle to national development and improved service delivery.

President Bio urged communities to safeguard electricity infrastructure, noting that public assets are meant to benefit all citizens and should be protected rather than destroyed.

He also acknowledged the difficulties facing the energy sector, stating that although he is not the Minister of Energy, he remains concerned about some of the challenges confronting the sector.

The President concluded by reiterating government’s commitment to expanding electricity generation while calling on Sierra Leoneans to embrace collective responsibility in protecting national infrastructure to ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply for the country.