On July 1, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Ministries of Finance, Energy, and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) officially inked a crucial one-year extension contract with Turkish energy provider; Karpowership, for continued power supply, effective immediately after the original five-year agreement concluded on June 30, 2025. This renewal ensures that Karpowership will maintain its vital role in illuminating homes and businesses across the nation, providing 45 MW of electricity during the dry season and 25 MW in the rainy season. This slightly adjusts the previous arrangement, which had supplied 65 MW in the dry season during its final years, while the wet season output remains consistent.
A spokesperson for Karpowership applauded the government’s decision, emphasizing its significance in preserving Sierra Leone’s “normal” electricity supply. The company has recommitted to its long-standing promise of delivering reliable power to Sierra Leonean consumers, a pledge that has seen them provide approximately 80% of the nation’s electricity since 2020. This supply has been particularly indispensable during the dry seasons, when the output from hydro-electric generation typically plummets.
This extension comes amidst acknowledged financial discussions between the two parties, with reports indicating that the Sierra Leonean government currently owes Karpowership around US $67 million. Both sides are actively engaged in finalizing plans to settle these outstanding fees, underlining a mutual commitment to ensuring uninterrupted service. For the citizens of Sierra Leone, this contract extension offers a much-needed sense of stability regarding power availability, preventing a return to previous periods of acute shortages. While the nation continues to explore and develop long-term, sustainable power solutions, including hydro and solar energy, this renewed agreement provides critical breathing room for maintaining grid stability and supporting daily life and economic activity. Officials have characterized the new deal as a significant step towards achieving “normal electricity supply across the country,” signaling a period of continued steady access to power for consumers, as the government and Karpowership work through the financial arrangements.