New Hydro Power Plant Brings Electricity to Rural Areas in Sierra Leone

The construction of three megawatt hydro power project has commenced in Sierra Leone’s Bankasoka river.

The rural communities of Sierra Leone will benefit from United Nations-supported hydro power plant and will also benefit from improved irrigation, water and sanitation services and increased businesses opportunities.

The hydro power plant is funded by the Government of China and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

UNIDO is a UN agency which promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

sierra
School girls in Freetown, Sierra Leone. UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

UNIDO asserts that the hydro plant is located within the community which means a direct involvement in the project by locals and lower costs.

“Small and micro hydro plant in rural areas of Sierra Leone will help improve access to modern energy services, boost market activities and irrigation.” -UNIDO’s Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella

Mr Yumkella also accompanied Sierra Leone’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma, during the laying of the plant’s foundation stone.

Mr. Yumkella said UNIDO is currently working on a feasibility study for a 10 megawatt hydro power project in the country to be funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) worth $32 million.

The GEF is an independent financial organization which provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to issues such as biodiversity, climate change and land degradation.

The head of UNIDO noted that increasing access to modern energy services is vital for creating social and economic opportunities that should improve the lives of the world’s poorest.

According to the UN;

  • One in every 5 people on earth lives without access to electricity and the opportunities it provides for learning and earning a living.
  • Sub Saharan Africa is the region most acutely affected by energy poverty in Kenya just 18 per cent of homes have power.

    UN reports an estimated 1.5 billion people still do not have access to electricity, and around 3 billion people rely on traditional biomass and coal as their primary source of energy.

    On November 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called for greater support of efforts to provide 600 million people in Africa with affordable and sustainable energy to enable the continent accelerate social and economic development.

    Mr. Ban asserts that ensuring access to reliable, efficient and affordable energy is a key element in advancing industrial development, creating decent jobs and increasing productive capacity, especially for small and medium enterprises and rural populations.

    Poverty is endemic in Sierra Leone, which was ranked 176 out of 177 countries listed in the UN’s Human Development Index. Infant mortality is estimated at 158 per 1,000 live births, under-five mortality rate at 267 per 1,000 and maternal mortality rate at 1,077 per 100,000 live births – all among the highest rates

  • Hot this week

    Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

    Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

    New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

    Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

    3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

    In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

    2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

    World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

    Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

    A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

    Listo Expands with Major NHL Partnerships at Bridgestone Arena and Xcel Energy Center

    Listo, a next-generation premium experience and hospitality platform, is...

    Don’t Demand Respect While Rejecting the Host Culture

    Why demanding respect from the West without self-reflection falls flat. A powerful defense of Western values and cultural boundaries.

    FUD Is the Only Thing That’s Real in Crypto Right Now

    In the topsy-turvy world of crypto, where projects appear...

    How to Get Your Team OSHA-Compliant Without Disrupting Productivity

    You’ve got deadlines to hit, orders to fill, and...

    Setting the Scene in the Green Leadership Contest

    An informative analysis of the UK Green Party leadership contest and its pro Palestinian stance on antisemitism, trans rights, and other human rights issues

    When Celebration Becomes a Scapegoat

    Celebration is not chaos, but neither is it a chance to jam a foreign culture down the throats of people who have long assimilated into a country.

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories