By Joshua Brima
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy has introduced a nighttime load shedding schedule for the capital, as authorities grapple with reduced electricity supply caused by seasonal and technical challenges.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Energy Sierra Leone said the plan, developed in collaboration with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority, is intended to bring “a level of certainty” to residents facing ongoing blackouts.
Under the new system, officials said no area in Freetown should go more than two consecutive nights without electricity, allowing households and businesses to better plan around outages.
The government attributed the worsening power situation in the Western Area to a sharp drop in generation from the Bumbuna hydroelectric facility, a recurring issue during the dry season.
“Electricity shortages at this time of year are largely driven by reduced water levels and technical constraints,” the ministry said, adding that additional disruptions along the CLSG transmission line have further limited supply.
With output from Bumbuna reduced, Freetown is currently relying heavily on the Karpowership and the Macoth Solar Plant for daytime electricity generation, officials said.
Residents have been urged to remain patient as authorities work to stabilise supply, while reporting faults through dedicated hotlines.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to improving electricity access, pointing to planned energy projects over the next 12 months aimed at delivering more reliable and affordable power.
However, recurring outages continue to highlight Sierra Leone’s structural energy challenges, including dependence on seasonal hydropower and limited grid resilience.
