Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification Project, led by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), has entered its third phase with the installation of solar power systems in 11 additional health facilities across the country. This marks a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey towards reliable, sustainable energy access in the healthcare sector.

Supported by funding from the UK Government, the project is being implemented by SEforALL in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with on-the-ground technical support from EM-One Solutions, Tetra Tech, and CEMMATS Group Ltd.

The initiative, which began in October 2022, has already successfully completed Phases 1 and 2, bringing clean energy to dozens of hospitals and community health centres. Upon completion of Phase 3, a total of 43 health facilities will have access to round-the-clock electricity—substantially improving healthcare delivery while reducing dependence on diesel generators and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Last week, as part of the project’s quarterly review, representatives from SEforALL and the UK Government visited four key hospitals in Freetown—Lakka Government Hospital, King Harman Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Connaught Hospital, and Rokupa Government Hospital—to assess progress. These facilities are now equipped with robust solar systems ranging from 100 kWp with 190 kWh battery storage to 760 kWp with 1225 kWh batteries.

Transformational Impact

The transition to solar power is dramatically reducing the reliance on fossil fuels in both on-grid and off-grid health facilities. Phase 1 alone saw a 52% drop in diesel generator usage across six major hospitals, including Ola During Children’s Hospital and Princess Christian Maternity Hospital. This shift is not only cutting emissions but also ensuring uninterrupted medical services, especially in rural and last-mile communities where power outages are frequent.

“Sierra Leone is highly vulnerable to climate change, and this project is a critical step toward climate resilience in our healthcare sector,” said Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, Deputy Minister of Health. “We are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels while ensuring that our health facilities can function reliably—even during extreme weather events.”

Progress to Date

• Phase 1: Installed over 0.6 MWp of solar capacity in six major hospitals. Battery storage was expanded to 0.9 MWp after the first year.

• Phase 2: Added 0.308 MWp of solar in Kailahun Government Hospital and 25 Community Health Centres nationwide.

• Phase 3: Ongoing installations in 11 hospitals including Connaught, Rokupa, King Harman, and hospitals in Port Loko, Makeni, Magburaka, Koidu, Moyamba, Pujehun, and Kenema.

Ngozi Beckley-Lines, SEforALL Sierra Leone Country Manager, noted: “We are transforming healthcare in underserved communities through clean, reliable energy. With every hospital electrified, we save more lives—and we are committed to leaving no one behind.”

By the end of Phase 3, the project will have deployed 4.3 megawatt peak (MWp) of solar capacity across 43 facilities, setting a national precedent for clean energy integration in healthcare.