The official groundbreaking of the Waterloo Innovent Power Park Project in Waterloo marked a significant step in Sierra Leone’s energy transformation, according to the Ministry of Energy. Hon. Cyril A. Grant, Minister of Energy, presided over the ceremony, which brought together government officials, project developers, traditional authorities, and members of the host community to witness the start of construction on a facility aimed at improving electricity supply in the Western Area and promoting local agricultural development.
Minister Grant thanked President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio for prioritising energy on the national agenda during his keynote address. “Under His Excellency’s leadership, we have prioritised energy at the national level. “His commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leoneans have an uninterrupted electricity supply is what makes projects like the Waterloo Innovative Power Park possible,” he said, emphasising the importance of political support in moving major infrastructure projects forward.
Minister Grant also praised the technical expertise and dedication of the project’s contractors, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver on time. He thanked the Waterloo community for their cooperation and for making land available for development, emphasising the importance of local acceptance and collaboration to the project’s success.
Minister Grant linked the project to broader development goals, stating that reliable electricity is a cornerstone of the government’s Feed Salone Agenda, which aims to increase food production, agro-processing, and rural livelihoods. “Reliable power isn’t an end in itself. It serves as a foundation for agricultural irrigation, cold storage, processing, and value addition. With reliable power, our farmers and agribusinesses will be able to transition from subsistence to commercial production,” he said, emphasising the multi-sector benefits of improved power supply.
During the ceremony, developers and local officials discussed the project’s goals. The Waterloo Innovent Power Park is intended to increase generation capacity in the Western Area, reduce reliance on emergency power sources, and improve grid stability for households, schools, health facilities, and businesses. Project representatives also provided a construction timeline and described the environmental safeguards that will be implemented, as well as a commitment to prioritising local labour and suppliers where possible.
Local leaders praised the initiative, citing anticipated job creation during the construction and operational phases, as well as improved access to electricity for nearby communities. Minister Grant urged all stakeholders to keep the momentum going after the ceremony, saying, “This groundbreaking is a promise.” We must now collaborate to deliver the power that Sierra Leone requires to grow, feed itself, and attract investment.”
The Waterloo Innovent Power Park is the most visible example of ongoing energy sector reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and national food security by providing more reliable and resilient electricity services.
