Status and challenges of wood biomass as the principal energy in Sierra Leone

Abstract

Energy availability in developing countries especially in African countries is still a great challenge, affecting the standard of living and investment in the Continent. The absence of adequate energy supply in urban and rural areas in Africa since colonial era has given wood biomass energy the advantage among other energy sources. In this paper, we synthesized the literatures and reports to assess the wood biomass energy usage status, production, consumption, economic benefits, pitfalls and future trend in Sierra Leone. The combined energy supply from all sources in Sierra Leone accounts for less than 30% of the country energy needs. The huge reliance on wood biomass energy in Sierra Leone is as a result of poverty, high cost of alternative energy source, weak economy and under development of the state, corruption, previous civil war, political instability and low standard of living. The exploitation of other forms of renewable energy such as modern bioenergy, solar, wind, and increased hydroelectric production could increase energy access and diversify Sierra Leone’s energy profi­le in the near future. Keywords: renewable, natural, power, Africa, charcoal, fuel