With his return from a 7 days visit in China, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources Professor Ogunlade Davidson said the Chinese have agreed to construct 3 mini hydro power.
The Minister was yesterday briefing his various directors in his Ministry as well as intimating the Press about what transpired in China.
He explained that three agreements were signed with the Chinese for the construction of the mini hydros as he stated that the first agreement was for the construction of a mini dam at Makali and Charlotte both ½ mega watts and 2 mega watts respectively. The third will be the Bamkasoka hydro in Port Loko which will be 1 mega watts with a possibility of an increase.
The Minister explained that according to studies undertaken by the Ministry, there were 20 possible mini hydro sites to be developed.
Professor Davidson further explained that whilst they were in China, they visited a mini hydro plant which generate about 140 mega watts and is operated by 42 people. He said the hydro was a multi purpose having tourism, shipping facility, aquatic fishing and other agricultural activities and that the plant operators have expressed willingness to work with Sierra Leone.
The Minister however said on the water division, a concessional loan has been given for a first phase to start the Orugu dam which amounts to $28.8M and have expressed willingness to join others in funding the second phase of a big dam bigger than Guma that will cost $143M. He hoped works on the dam shall start this year.
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