06 Nov 2009

On November 6th, in front of over a thousand guests, HE the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma,officially commissioned the first phase of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project.

The project was financed mainly by the Italian Department of Cooperation, but also by the Government of Sierra Leone, the African Development Bank and the Department of International Development UK. Opec financed the transmission line and the World Bank financed the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project, which includes an 88m high dam and a powerhouse with an installed energy of 50MW for an average annual production of energy of 315GW/h, was carried out by Salini Costruttori whereas SAE Power Lines carried out the transmission lines.

During his speech at the ceremony, President Koroma praised Salini for their dedication and work on this project which is so important for the country that it is represented on the 5000 Leones note.

Salini Costruttori has furthermore signed a contract for the Operation and Maintenance of the power plant for the next 18 months. This period will be dedicated to the training of local personnel.

See link to local press