Deputy Energy Minister I Faces Scrutiny Over Blackouts
By Rahman
At the weekly press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education in Freetown on 7th April 2026, Deputy Minister I of Energy, Edmond B. Nonie, laid bare the worsening realities of Sierra Leone’s electricity sector, drawing sharp concern over the Ministry’s performance amid persistent nationwide outages.
Nonie admitted that despite efforts to secure more energy, the country continues to struggle with unreliable power distribution, exposing a critical gap between supply and delivery. Freetown, he revealed, still operates on a limited range of 56 to 70 megawatts, far below the 150 megawatts required for stable electricity, a shortfall that continues to fuel frustration among residents.
His statement further highlighted deep structural problems within the sector, as electricity generated and imported from multiple sources fails to reach consumers effectively due to weak infrastructure, faulty transmission lines, and vandalism. This means that even when power is available, many communities remain in darkness because the system cannot deliver it.
Across the provinces, the situation remains dire. Makeni receives as little as two to six megawatts, while other district headquarters depend heavily on fuel-powered generators that operate intermittently. The Minister acknowledged that the government spends heavily on fuel while recovering far less in revenue, raising serious concerns about sustainability and efficiency.
Although he pointed to progress such as increased electrification in Kambia, where over 275 homes are now connected, such gains appear limited when compared to the scale of the national crisis.
Nonie’s remarks underscore a troubling reality: Sierra Leone’s energy problem is no longer just about generating electricity, but about a failing distribution network and weak system management. With ongoing blackouts, aging infrastructure, and mounting public dissatisfaction, his disclosure has intensified scrutiny on the Ministry of Energy and its ability to deliver meaningful and lasting solutions.
