New Generation Power International (NGPI) plans to deliver power projects to West Africa and recently met with Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Energy,Major Ismael Sengu Koroma,in Chicago to announce just that.
Plans for a multiple utility-scale power generation facility in Sierra Leone will result in clean, reliable and affordable energy to help ensure power supply for the country.
Koroma is working closely with NGPI to press forward with plans to enter final discussions to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the government of Sierra Leone, which could lead to the West African country seeing 1,000 MW of power added to its energy mix over the next three years.
NGPI has partnered with Nations Solar to help transform the country’s current energy infrastructure through a combination of solar PV, hydro, and distributed generation projects.
The NGPI Chairman Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria said, “Access to modern, clean and renewable energy in every home and business, can enable people in countries like Sierra Leone to lead better lives. Electricity can have a critical effect on health, education and the economy.”
Nations Solar VP of International Energy, Peter Maurer, will work closely with NGPI and the Sierra Leone government to complete all feasibility studies, environmental reviews and contract negotiations as well as locations for the projects.
It is believed that together both companies have the ability to bring multiple sources of energy such as solar street lights, solar PV, hydro, thermal and distributed micro grid solutions that will accelerate energy initiatives for Sierra Leone.
The first 20-MW solar project is expected to break ground this year and an additional 180MW of solar is planned to follow over the next two years under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.
NGPI will develop, execute, and operate the projects under a build, own, and operate basis in addition to supplying project capital based on the final singed PPPA.