Sierra Leone Mine Gets Solar Lifeline

Key Figures & Findings: China’s Solar has launched a customized integrated solar-storage-diesel microgrid system for a crucial mining site in Sierra Leone, marking one of the country’s first fully hybridized solar-storage microgrids. Designed to operate independently from the national grid, the system will provide round-the-clock power for mining operations, significantly cutting diesel use and stabilizing electricity supply.

Statistics & Insights:

• Capacity: The system includes a 4.4 MW solar PV installation paired with a 2.5 MW/5 MWh energy storage system.

• Timeline: The entire system is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2025.

• Output: The PV system is projected to generate approximately 165 million kWh of electricity over 30 years.

Future Implications:

If delivered as planned, the Sierra Leone project could serve as a model for off-grid industrial electrification across West Africa, where mining operations face chronic power deficits. Its success would not only bolster the country’s energy self-sufficiency but also attract new private investment into hybrid power systems — accelerating Sierra Leone’s broader transition toward renewable, decentralized energy solutions by 2026 and beyond.

Source: Solar Be Global

Quick Take: A new smart microgrid in Sierra Leone is using solar-storage-diesel to finally provide uninterrupted power for its vital mining sector, proving reliable off-grid solutions are ready now.