Powering Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone

The report identifies a significant energy access gap in Sierra Leone's schools, with 86% of primary schools lacking electricity. It proposes a three-phase roadmap (2023–2029) to electrify over 9,500 schools using solar PV systems, estimating a total investment need of $90 million for secondary schools alone. The analysis emphasizes the need for a shift from donor-led equipment ownership to sustainable service-based or hybrid delivery models to ensure long-term operation and maintenance (O&M).

• Electricity access in schools is critically low, with the highest deficit in primary schools (86% without access), followed by junior secondary (64%), pre-primary (63%), and senior secondary schools (45%).
• The national grid is the primary electricity source for the few schools with power, while solar PV penetration remains very low, with only 2-8% of schools using stand-alone systems or mini-grids.
• There is a substantial market opportunity for solar PV investment, with an estimated 9,596 schools requiring robust power solutions, including those currently unpowered, under-electrified solar sites, and on-grid schools needing backup for frequent outages.
• Electrifying all 1,745 secondary schools in need of reliable energy would require an estimated $90 million, comprising $70 million in Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and $20 million in Operational Expenditure (OpEx) over 10 years to provide 8 MWp of installed capacity.
• The predominant 'traditional equipment ownership model'—where donors fund installation—often fails due to a lack of long-term O&M plans and institutional capacity, leading to non-functional systems.
• The report recommends a transition toward service-based or hybrid delivery models to ensure technical sustainability, though these require stronger public sector financial management and regulatory frameworks than currently exist in Sierra Leone.
• There is a critical lack of inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministry of Energy (MoE) and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), with no formal platform for the electrification of social infrastructure.
• The proposed implementation roadmap consists of three phases: Structuring and Feasibility (2023–2024), Development and Demonstration (2024–2026) to electrify 2,500 schools, and Scale-up (2026–2029) to electrify an additional 7,069 schools.
• Secondary school energy needs vary by size and service; a large school with a double shift requires approximately 27.0 kWh/day, while additional services like computer labs add 18.5 kWh/day.
• Sierra Leone lacks national guidelines for solar PV products and e-waste management, leading to rudimentary recycling processes that pose health and environmental risks.

APA

Severi, L., Kabir, H., Kim, J., & Yillia, P. T. (n.d.). Powering Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone. Sustainable Energy for All. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2023-03/Sierra%20Leone%20Roadmap%20-%20Education_FINAL050323.pdf

Chicago

Severi, Luc, Hannah Kabir, Jaryeong Kim, and Paul T. Yillia. Powering Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone. Sustainable Energy for All, n.d. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2023-03/Sierra%20Leone%20Roadmap%20-%20Education_FINAL050323.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Severi |first1=Luc |last2=Kabir |first2=Hannah |last3=Kim |first3=Jaryeong |last4=Yillia |first4=Paul T. |title=Powering Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone |publisher=Sustainable Energy for All |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2023-03/Sierra%20Leone%20Roadmap%20-%20Education_FINAL050323.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{severindpowering, author = {Severi, Luc and Kabir, Hannah and Kim, Jaryeong and Yillia, Paul T.}, title = {{Powering Social Infrastructure in Sierra Leone}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2023-03/Sierra%20Leone%20Roadmap%20-%20Education_FINAL050323.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }