Taille des projets
The Bumbuna I hydroelectric plant (50 MW) is located on the Seli river in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. Owned and operated by public sector EGTC, it has operated since 2009 with average output of 222.5 GWh (51% capacity factor). The Millennium Challenge Corporation feasibility study (2023) confirms that expanding by a further 60 MW is the lowest cost option for increasing energy provision. The expansion requires minimal new civil works because the offtake, intake, power tunnel, screens, and main inlet valve are already designed for additional 80 m³/s flow (60 MW). Options: single 60 MW turbine or 2×30 MW turbines. Government seeks a transaction combining privatisation of the existing 50 MW plant with an agreement for the new owner to finance and build the expansion, underpinned by a PPA with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and appropriate guarantees.
Résumé rapide
Expansion of existing 50 MW Bumbuna I hydro plant by 60 MW (371 GWh additional output). Lowest-cost generation option for Sierra Leone. No resettlement, low environmental impact. Public-private transaction combining existing plant privatisation with expansion financing.
Plus grand marché
National – Sierra Leone (serving Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority under PPA)
Secteur *
Hydropower / Renewable Energy Generation
Rapport d'analyse de marché
Sierra Leone faces chronic energy deficits. The 50 MW Bumbuna I is the lowest-cost generator in the national system. Adding 60 MW (371 GWh/year) represents a substantial increase in affordable, renewable baseload capacity. The expansion benefits from existing infrastructure (dam, tunnels, 200 km 161 kV transmission line to Freetown). No resettlement costs. Expected low environmental impacts with mitigation. The transaction structure (privatisation + expansion agreement) aligns investor returns with national development priorities.
Mise en place du projet
Informations sur le projet
Détails de la révocation
Mettre à Jour le Profil du Pays
Independent power producer (IPP) or energy infrastructure investor with experience in hydropower projects, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa. Capable of financing US$60–67 million expansion and undertaking privatisation of existing 50 MW public asset.
Revue technique
Experience with Francis turbines, run-of-river hydro plants, and powerhouse extension construction adjacent to operating facilities requiring specialist blasting to avoid damaging instrumentation.
Innovation numérique et Fintech
Période de récupération
To be determined based on PPA tariff structure
Incitations et soutien à l'investissement
Informations sur la localisation
Description
Country: Sierra Leone
Specific Location: Bumbuna, Tonkolili District, Northern Province, Sierra Leone
Lien optionnel vers la page concernée
- Passerelle stratégique vers l'Afrique de l'Ouest
- Access to Sierra Leone market
- Couverture régionale de la CEDEAO
Évaluation des risques
Atténuation des risques
Facteurs de risque
- Construction adjacent to operating powerhouse requiring specialist blasting
- Hydrological variability (inflow data 2009–2022 shows fluctuations)
- Sovereign/offtaker payment risk
- Chimpanzee population impact
- Dam stability concerns
Message d'invitation
- Detailed engineering and blasting protocols to avoid damaging existing instrumentation
- Run-of-river design; historical performance average 51% capacity factor
- PPA supported by appropriate Government of Sierra Leone guarantees
- Mitigation measures already identified; expected low to no detrimental effect
- Powerhouse extensions founded in hard rock; no compromise to dam integrity confirmed
