- The governments of Sierra Leone and Guinea have entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Cote d’Ivoire.
Sierra Leone has also finalised a transmission services agreements (TSA) with TRANSCO CLSG. These agreements will enable Cote d’Ivoire to light up the southeastern parts of Sierra Leone.
Special envoy of President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Vice President Dr Mohamed Julde Jalloh, delivered a personal letter to President Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire thanking the government and people of Cote d’Ivoire for playing a critically important role in promoting regional integration as evident in the transformative CLSG project.
The Vice President said the signing of the PPA and TSA will enable Sierra Leone to benefit from the CLSG project and spur economic development and attract investments in the country.
Jalloh informed President Ouattara that President Bio was eager to see the energisation of the power line to accelerate the delivery of reliable and sustainable electricity to the southeastern cities of Bo and Kenema initially.
He underscored the economic importance of electricity in any given society and that Sierra Leoneans are yearning for stable and affordable electricity. According to him, the people of Sierra Leone cannot wait to see electricity being brought to their country.
The Director General of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), James Rogers signed the PPA for Sierra Leone while the Director General of CI Energies, Moumory Sidibe signed for Cote d’Ivoire. The Director General of CIE Ahmadou Kakayoko also signed the PPA documents. The event was graced by the Ivorian Minister of Mine, Petroleum and Energy, Thomas Camara, WAPP Secretary General, Siengui Appolinaire KI, and the General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG, Mohammed Sherif and his team.
Guinea signs PPA
The Government of the Republic of Guinea has also signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Cote d’Ivoire. The Director General of the Guinean electricity utility (Electricité de Guinée – EDG) Bankaly Maty signed for Guinea and the Director General of CI Energies Moumory Sidibe signed for Cote d’Ivoire.
With the signing of the agreements, Sierra Leone and Guinea have taken steps closer to connecting their cities, towns and communities which include homes, hospitals and schools using the CLSG power line. Both countries sent high-powered delegations to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire recently and negotiated, finalised and signed the agreements with the Ivorian national utility, CI Energies. The agreements were developed through an ongoing partnership among CLSG countries.
“This is a critical milestone for the project,” Mohammed Sherif, General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG said.
With the signing of the PPAs, the governments Sierra Leone and Guinea have demonstrated commitment to making sure their citizens receive unimpeded electricity. The two countries called for sustainability in the delivery of the electricity, to which the Minister of Energy of Cote d’Ivoire assured the parties that the electricity being supplied will be stable. It is expected that Liberia will sign the PPA soon.
The PPA represents a big step forward in improving the economies of the two countries. The agreement offers long-term electricity supply agreement between the parties and is a key component that will ensure the viability of TRANSCO CLSG and jumpstarts trades on the transmission line by beneficiary countries.
The CLSG countries are also in negotiation with TRANSCO CLSG to conclude the Transmission Service Agreements (TSA) and sign these agreements that will empower TRANSCO CLSG to transmit the electricity from Cote d’Ivoire to the other countries
Author: Nomvuyo Tena
Nomvuyo Tena is a Content Producer at Clarion Events Africa and is as passionate about the energy transition in Africa as she is about music and Beyonce.
This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.
