Sir, – Earlier this year the NR published a letter [110/1, p. 86] of mine under this title posing the question of a strategic rationale for a solar powered marine fuel production plant (perhaps hydrogen based) in Sierra Leone. Since then, three things have happened in remarkably quick succession: The Ukraine War diverted most eyes and brains onto more immediate issues. The Chinese announced their intention of building an Atlantic facing naval base in Equatorial Guinea: solar power availability being readily apparent from the name. The Royal Navy’s Type 31 deployment and support philosoph…
