By Marcus Bangura
Sierra Leone, despite its vast renewable energy potential, struggles with some of the highest electricity costs in Africa, largely due to over-reliance on expensive thermal power, outdated infrastructure, and above all costly contracts with Independent Power Producers like the Turkish-owned Karpowership. The Turkish-owned company has become an economic vampire and bloodsucking predator draining state resources and causing more harm than good by worsening Sierra Leone’s energy crisis and deepening energy poverty, exacerbating financial burden on consumers with high tariffs and strict payment terms, frequent power outages. With monopolistic control over the energy sector, Karpowership profits off Sierra Leone’s vulnerability, leaving the country stuck in a cycle of expensive, unsustainable power solutions. To make way, Sierra Leone must focus on developing local, long-term energy solutions that prioritize national interests over foreign profits.
This can be achieved if the Government of President Bio take urgent action to implement sustainable energy reforms and reduce reliance on costly foreign entities like Karpowership as discussed at the Dar es Salaam Summit, which convened African leaders in Tanzania and discussed transforming the continent’s energy landscape. The summit was attended by the Sierra Leone’s government, led by President Julius Maada Bio. Failing to do the needful, will make the Karpowership and similar companies to continue to drain Sierra Leone’s financial resources, hindering the nation’s potential for energy independence and economic growth.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s electricity crisis has become a pressing issue since President Bio ascendancy with prolonged blackouts severely affecting businesses, households, and the economy. At the centre of the crisis are key players, notably, the Turkish-owned Karpowership, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), the government, and the consumers who bear the ultimate cost. Understanding the rationale behind these blackouts and identifying responsibility is crucial for finding sustainable solutions.
At the hem is the Turkish-owned Karpowership company, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Karadeniz Energy Group, and it operates under contract with the Sierra Leone Government for the supply of a significant portion of electricity through its floating power ship docked in Freetown, and in turn the government is required to meet financial obligations for power generation. It should be noted that since 2018, the Bio-led Government and the Turkish-owned Karpowership operated in exchange for payments and when the government fails to meet these payments, the company reduce or cuts the power supply. The company’s monopolistic control allows it to impose exorbitant tariffs, further burdening the government and taxpayers.. However, reports indicate that payment delays by the government have led to power reductions, exacerbating the blackout crisis.
The second player is the Government of Sierra Leone, led by President Bio, who upon assuming office promises to improving energy access, reducing costs, and investing in long-term solutions but the government has continued to rely on Karpowership. This over-reliance prevents the country from building sustainable energy solutions or investing in renewable energy sources. Instead, the government remains stuck in short-term contracts that benefit Karpowership while neglecting the nation’s long-term energy needs. This failure to deliver on campaign promises has left Sierra Leoneans frustrated, as they continue to suffer from blackouts and rising electricity costs. To break free from this economic vampire’s grip, Sierra Leone must invest in renewable energy and prioritize homegrown, sustainable solutions that serve the nation’s long-term interests. It’s time for the government to fulfil its promises and build a self-sufficient energy infrastructure that benefits the people, not foreign corporations, like Turkish-owned Karpowership.
Be it what it may, it goes without saying thatthe government plays a crucial role in energy policy, infrastructure development, and contract negotiations but several policy failures policy formulation speaks volume of the ongoing blackouts including inadequate financial planning on the allocation of funds for electricity payment to Karpowership and other energy suppliers; overreliance or dependence on a single supplier, Karpowership without diversifying energy sources such as hydro, solar, and thermal power; weak regulatory oversight , that is, inability to enforce policies that ensure EDSA’s efficiency and revenue collection; lack of long-term energy investment and showing minimal efforts to build sustainable and locally controlled power generation sources, keeping the country dependent on foreign energy providers.
The third player is EDSA, who is responsible for electricity distribution and billing across the country. However, the institution has faced criticism for inefficiency, including, poor revenue collection, despite prepaid payment system, with many consumers deprived of accessible, sustainable and affordable electricity supply; high technical and commercial losses due to illegal connections and faulty infrastructure in which they have spent they have spent donkey years to combat and lack of investment in modern grid systems to ensure reliable power distribution among others. Despite these challenges, EDSA remains central to resolving the crisis, yet its operational inefficiencies continue to undermine its ability to deliver uninterrupted power.
The fourth player are the consumers who are the most affected with the persistentburden of blackouts vis-à-visbusinesses and households. Businesses face increased operational costs as they rely on expensive fuel-powered generators, while households experience reduced productivity and discomfort. Consumers also suffer due to high electricity tariffs despite unreliable service; frequent appliance damage due to erratic power supply, limited access to alternative energy sources due to high costs.
The blame for Sierra Leone’s energy crisis is shared among multiple actors, namely, the Government of Siera Leone for failing to meet financial obligations and implement long-term solutions; EDSA for Poor revenue collection, mismanagement, and technical inefficiencies and Karpowership for selling energy to Government at high cost and enforcing power cuts when payments are delayed, though justified by contract terms and Consumers, some of whom engage in illegal connections and electricity theft, worsening EDSA’s revenue shortfall.
In conclusion the energy crisis will continue to frustrate consumers, if Government rely on Karpowership, which has been described as an economic vampire and a blood bleeding predator that has put Government resources in strain. The Bio-led Government should ensure services are provided at reasonable cost, make timely payment to power suppliers to prevent service interruptions, reform EDSA to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and increase revenue collection; Invest in diverse energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind to reduce reliance on foreign providers.; strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure accountability in the power sector; encouraging consumer responsibility by reducing electricity theft and promoting efficient energy use. Sierra Leone’s persistent blackouts are a result of financial mismanagement, poor policy planning, and infrastructural deficiencies. While Karpowership’s role is crucial, the long-term solution lies in sustainable energy investments and better governance in the power sector. Without urgent intervention, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of energy dependency and economic hardship.
