According to recent statistics it estimates that 37

for the whole country, and it is accessible mainly in Freetown.
According to recent statistics, it estimates that [37], barely 10%
to 12% of the urban population and only around 2% of the rural
population approximately have access to electricity. A report
showed that renewable energy capacity in Sierra Leone is 88MW,
out of which 56MW is generated by Hydro Power while 33MW is
generated by Bioenergy [51]. At present, the solar and wind energy
potential of Sierra Leone is still untapped but has a high potential
based on our climatic patterns (Table 6). The reports also showed
that Sierra Leone has a capacity of 33MW, generated mainly from
Biomass [51]. According to the recent reports [37], around 8471
solar street lights have been distributed by Government to the
fourteen districts main headquarters in the country, but only a
few are in operating conditions at this moment.
Table 6 Renewable energy capacity statistics of Sierra Leone from 2007-2018 [51, 52]
Renewable Energy type (e) Period and their capacity in ( MW)
Years 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Total renewable energy 4 29 29 54 54 54 54 88 88 90 92
Renewable & Hydropower 4 29e 29e 54e 54e 54e 54e 56e 56e 58e 60e
Medium hydropower 4e 4e 4e 4e 4e 4e 4e 6e 6e 6e
Wind energy - - - - - - - - - - -
Solar energy - - - - - - - - - - -
Bioenergy - - - - - - - 32 32 32 32
Solid biofuel & energy waste - - - - - - - 32e 32e 32e 32e
Bagasse - - - - - - - 32u 32e 32e 32e
Note: “u” is used by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to signify figures obtained from unofficial sources such
as industry, associations and news articles. The symbol “e” follows figures that have been estimated by IRENA from a variety of
different data sources.

9 International Journal of
biomass & renewables
Moses Fayiah et al. / International Journal of Biomass & Renewables, 7(2) : 1 - 11, 2018
The renewable energy capacity of Sierra Leone shown in Table
6 highlights the past and current renewable energy capacity
of the country based on 2007 to date. Renewable energy such
as bioenergy, bagasse and solid biofuel & waste energy started
producing energy in 2014 and has since reduced the immense
energy pressure especially in the capital city. Based on the Ministry
of Energy report [39], the overall electrical power generation of the
country has increased from 2014 to 2017. However, more need to
be done to actualise the full potential of renewable energy across
the country in the next couple of years.
5.0 Conclusion
The use of wood biomass energy in Sierra Leone is not by choice but
when there is no alternate energy. If there is an alternative, then it
seems to be preferable. Wood biomass is the only reliable energy
available throughout the country and is cheap for all classes of
Sierra Leoneans. The possible alternative to wood biomass energy
usage shortly is electricity especially hydro-energy. The utilisation
of other forms of renewable energy such as modern bioenergy,
solar, wind, and increased hydroelectric production could
improve the energy access and diversify Sierra Leone’s energy
profile. Policies that decrease dependence on traditional biomass
and encourage environmental sustainability will deliver a vast
range of benefits. Investing in future energy is the touch-stone
of economic development in Sierra Leone, and it will help to fast