Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh led a high-level government delegation, which included senior officials and the Vice President of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), on an inspection visit to the Nant Energy Power Project construction site at Kissy Dockyard in Freetown. The visit was part of the government’s ongoing oversight of strategic national infrastructure, and it demonstrated efforts to strengthen collaboration with international development partners while ensuring the timely delivery of transformative energy investments for Sierra Leone’s development.
Karim Nasser, Executive Chairman and Director of Nant Power, gave the delegation a guided tour of the facility and provided detailed updates on construction progress, the project’s technical scope, and implementation timeline. The attendees were briefed on the staged development plan and how the power plant is expected to increase national energy capacity and reliability.
Speaking at the site, Chief Minister Dr Sengeh described the Nant Energy Project as an example of effective international collaboration and real-world sustainable development. “This is what partnership looks like. It is a collaboration between the United States and Sierra Leonean governments, facilitated by the DFC. It is also consistent with the government’s overall development strategy and exemplifies the type of development that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is bringing to Sierra Leone,” he said. He added that the government is pleased with the progress and will continue to work closely with project developers.
Dr Sengeh emphasised the government’s ongoing engagement with the project team, saying, “We are very pleased with the progress. The Ministry of Energy maintains strong relationships with project developers, who provide us with monthly status updates. We regularly review those reports, and this visit allows us to see firsthand what is being communicated and ensure that all stakeholders are on track.” The on-site inspection was intended to validate the written reports and strengthen government oversight of delivery milestones.
The Nant Energy Power Project is expected to be critical to the Sierra Leone Government’s development agenda, particularly in advancing the “Big Five Game Changers,” specifically Pillar Four on Technology and Infrastructure. By increasing generation capacity and improving energy reliability, the project is expected to support industrial expansion, accelerate digital transformation, enable business growth, and improve public service delivery throughout the country. Officials emphasised that improved energy security and reduced power outages will create a more conducive environment for investment, innovation, and long-term economic development.
Nant Power’s facility, created through a strategic partnership between TCQ Power Ltd and Anergi Group, is governed by an amended Power Purchase Agreement and will be implemented in two phases. Phase One is expected to add 108.4 megawatts (MW) to the national grid, with Phase Two adding 40.1 MW. The project reached financial close in November 2024, thanks to support from key international financial institutions, and is backed by a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with the Sierra Leone government. Once completed, the facility is expected to be Sierra Leone’s first large-scale LNG/LPG combined-cycle power plant, with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
Government representatives emphasised the project’s broader implications beyond just megawatts. They stated that dependable power is critical for attracting private sector investment, supporting manufacturing and industrial parks, improving the quality of health and education services, and enabling the digital economy. The inspection was attended by the MCC Vice President and other development partners, indicating that Sierra Leone’s energy transition and infrastructure modernisation continue to receive international interest and support.
As construction nears the targeted commissioning window, government officials reaffirmed their commitment to close monitoring, regular engagements with developers, and coordination with international stakeholders to ensure that the Nant Energy Power Project fulfils its promise of driving economic transformation and strengthening national energy resilience.
