Grace Goodrich
The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) Initiative – a three-year program aimed at accelerating rural electrification in Sierra Leone – has launched a call for private sector companies to submit proposals for the development and upgrading of mini-grids in off-grid communities.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop a new project within 12 months, possess experience operating mini-grids across sub-Saharan Africa, have expertise in smart meter integration and hold at least 30% female representation within their teams.
The call for proposals marks a milestone in the rollout of SOGREA and in unlocking new investment opportunities in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Funded with €24 million in catalytic support from the European Union and the Danish government, SOGREA will cover upfront development costs for green mini-grids, helping address the funding gap in renewables projects.
Cyril Arnold Grant, Minister of Energy in Sierra Leone said the EU funding will help the country to advance sector reforms and strengthen institutional capacity to uplift rural communities through improved energy access.
Jacek Jankowski, Ambassador of the European Union to Sierra Leone, added “We recognize that successful rural electrification requires more than just funding; it demands a strategic partnership between visionary government leadership and efficient private sector involvement.”
Source: EU-Backed €24M Program Seeks Mini-Grid Developers for Sierra Leone