By: Fatmata Lebbie
Senior government officials, representatives of international development partners, and private sector stakeholders on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, conducted an inspection tour of the ongoing NANT Energy construction site at Kissy in Freetown to assess progress on the landmark 108-megawatt LPG/LNG power project.
The delegation was led by Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister alongside the Minister of Energy, representatives from the United States Government, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and senior officials connected to the project.
Officials received updates on the pace of construction, local workforce participation, and the expected impact of the project on Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
The multi-million-dollar energy project, currently over 50 per cent complete, is expected to significantly improve electricity supply across the Western Area and strengthen Sierra Leone’s national grid upon completion in 2027.
Leading the implementation of the project is General Manager Abu Kamara, a Sierra Leonean energy expert overseeing the development of what is expected to become the first combined-cycle power plant within the Mano River Union (MRU).
Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, described the project as a strong example of international partnership and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
He said the initiative reflects collaboration between the Government of Sierra Leone, the private sector, and international partners, with support from the United States Government and the Australian Government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
According to the Chief Minister, the project demonstrates the type of development model capable of driving economic growth and transforming Sierra Leone’s energy sector.
He noted that the government remains highly impressed with the level of progress achieved so far, adding that the Ministry of Energy continues to monitor implementation closely through regular monthly status reports from project developers.
“The purpose of this visit is to assess the work firsthand and ensure the project remains on schedule,” the Chief Minister stated.
He further disclosed that the investment is valued at approximately 416 million United States dollars and is expected to generate 108 megawatts of electricity upon completion.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the scale of the investment reflects growing international confidence in Sierra Leone and its development agenda.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Cyril Grant described the NANT Power Plant as a transformational project aimed at addressing Sierra Leone’s long-standing electricity challenges while positioning the country as a destination for reliable energy and industrial expansion.
According to Minister Grant, once completed, the plant will generate enough electricity to supply Freetown and the entire Western Area, while also creating additional capacity to support future industrial growth.
He noted that the KC project site is already emerging as an industrial hub, adding that a stable electricity supply will attract more investors and industries to the area.
Minister Grant further stated that the persistent power shortages affecting Sierra Leone are expected to significantly reduce once the plant becomes fully operational in the first quarter of 2027.
He highlighted the project’s sustainability, explaining that the plant will operate using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and LPG propane gas instead of diesel or heavy fuel oil (HFO), making it more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
“LNG-powered plants are widely used globally because of their efficiency in generating electricity for industries, businesses, and households,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of the NANT Power Project and the visionary behind the initiative, Karim Nasser, disclosed that the project remains on schedule and is expected to become one of the largest private sector investments in Sierra Leone’s history.
Nasser stated that the development is the first of its kind in office and power infrastructure in Sierra Leone and could represent the second-largest investment in the country after African Minerals.
He explained that the facility will operate using gas supplied through a dedicated pipeline already installed at the site. The project will include gas turbines that generate electricity directly, while excess heat from the turbines will be used to produce steam for an additional steam turbine, increasing overall power generation capacity.
According to Nasser, the combined-cycle system is expected to produce about 110 megawatts of electricity, accounting for nearly 70 percent of Sierra Leone’s national power grid upon completion.
He described the project as unprecedented in Sierra Leone, noting that most energy investments contribute between 5 and 10 percent to the national grid, while the NANT project alone will provide a substantial share of the country’s electricity supply.
Nasser also revealed that the project won “Project of the Year” in 2024 due to its innovative financing structure.
On the project timeline, he stated that the first operational phase, known as the “first fire,” is expected in March 2027, while full completion is scheduled for August 2027.
He appealed for continued public and stakeholder support to ensure the timely delivery of the project.
“We cannot do it alone. One hand alone cannot clap,” Nasser said.
Highlighting the company’s commitment to local content, he disclosed that 90 per cent of the workforce are Sierra Leoneans, while women account for 22 per cent of employees currently working on the project.
