A team of international engineers specializing in civil, environmental, waste, and energy engineering has conducted technical assessments of legal dumpsites across the Western Area and the proposed Hastings project site as preparations continue for the planned 30MW waste-to-energy electricity project.

The engineering team, led by Infinitum Energy’s Lead Engineer Raphael and supported by experts from Belgian-based firm De Smet, visited Sierra Leone to evaluate key requirements for the implementation of the project. De Smet is expected to undertake construction of the plant at the Hastings project site, having previously completed a sugarcane facility in the area.

During the assessment, the team visited dumpsites at Kingtom, Kissy, and Waterloo, while also engaging industrial and agricultural facilities in Cline Town, Wellington, and Waterloo to assess waste generation capacity and existing waste management challenges.

The engineers noted that the project will require more than 1,200 tonnes of waste daily to generate 30 megawatts of electricity and expressed confidence that the required waste supply can be achieved once operations begin.

The team also carried out a detailed assessment of the 60-acre Hastings project site, reviewing logistics, access roads, land conditions, landscaping, and other infrastructure requirements needed for the construction and operation of the facility.

Additional visits were made to the Freetown Port and the Jui electricity substation, which are considered critical components of the project’s operations and power distribution system.

Country Director of Infinitum Energy Group, Dr. Yassin Kargbo, welcomed the outcome of the technical assessment, noting that the company has worked closely with government institutions and community stakeholders since 2021 to advance the project.

Dr. Kargbo said the project is approaching its final approval stages and is expected to provide several benefits, including 24/7 electricity supply, improved waste management and sanitation in Freetown, employment opportunities, and corporate social responsibility investments in education, health, sanitation, and community development.

The waste-to-energy project, which represents an estimated investment of over US$200 million, has already received government approval, with final contracts awaiting completion and ratification before implementation begins.