Sungrow Commissions Sierra Leone’s RESPITE Solar-Plus-Storage Project with 35MWh ESS

Sungrow has commissioned the RESPITE Solar-plus-Storage Project in Sierra Leone, marking the country’s first major national-scale power generation project to be completed and connected to the grid in nearly a decade.

The project incorporates 35MWh of energy storage capacity, powered by eight units of Sungrow’s PowerTitan Series energy storage system (ESS), and is designed to strengthen grid reliability while expanding access to electricity across the country.

Backed by the World Bank, the RESPITE project addresses long-standing challenges in Sierra Leone’s electricity sector, including limited grid infrastructure, low electrification rates and unreliable power supply. According to World Bank estimates, the project is expected to increase the country’s electricity access rate from 16% to 36% once fully operational, improving electricity availability for households, schools, healthcare facilities and commercial and industrial consumers.

Sierra Leone’s national grid currently relies on a single 161kV transmission line linking the Bumbuna Hydropower Plant to the distribution network in Freetown, with power access remaining limited outside the capital. The project is expected to enhance energy security and support broader electrification efforts across the country.

To overcome the challenges of operating in a weak-grid environment, Sungrow deployed its PowerTitan Series ESS, which features black-start capability and independent off-grid operation. During commissioning, the project team transitioned from grid-connected testing to off-grid operation, enabling the system to establish a stable microgrid using solar energy without external grid support.

The company also leveraged its modular, pre-installed PowerTitan design to reduce on-site construction time, while coordinating global technical support and localized spare parts logistics to accelerate deployment and commissioning.

According to Sungrow, the successful commissioning has received recognition from both the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank. In addition to expanding access to clean electricity, the project has created nearly 100 local jobs and is expected to deliver long-term social and economic benefits.

The project forms part of Sungrow’s broader efforts to deploy renewable energy and energy storage solutions in regions with weak grid infrastructure, supporting Sierra Leone’s transition towards a more reliable and sustainable energy system.