Renewable Energy Future for Sierra Leone: Systems Modeling for Energy Security and Sustainability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jts.3235Keywords:
Renewable Energy, Energy Security, Energy Modeling, OSeMOSYS, Sierra LeoneAbstract
Purpose: Sierra Leone faces persistent energy security challenges, including dependence on imported petroleum products, limited electricity access, and vulnerability to global fuel price fluctuations. This study investigates renewable energy futures as a pathway to enhance energy security, reduce fossil fuel imports, and support sustainable socio-economic development.
Methodology: The Modelling User Interface for OSeMOSYS is applied to simulate alternative energy pathways.
Findings: Scenarios emphasize the renewable transition, which includes solar, hydropower, and biomass expansion, with comparative assessment against energy-imported fossil-based trajectories. Renewable energy pathways provide a cost-effective substitute for fossil fuels, with the potential to reduce import dependence by up to 60% by 2040. Beyond lowering greenhouse gas emissions, renewable deployment advances rural electrification, job creation, and technology transfer. The Renewable Transition (RT) pathway emerges as the most viable option, aligning with Sierra Leone’s development priorities and international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study advances theoretical understanding by applying systems modeling to a low-access, fossil-reliant context, showing the viability of renewable-dominant transitions. The findings highlight the importance of scaling solar PV, hydropower, and mini-grids, upgrading transmission and distribution networks, and establishing robust regulatory frameworks to attract private investment. The study recommends restricting new fossil-based generation to backup roles, expanding engagement in the West African Power Pool (WAPP), and investing in human capital to strengthen system planning and operation. Collectively, the findings demonstrate the transformative potential of renewable energy futures to reinforce Sierra Leone’s energy security and sustainable growth.
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