The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) announced the signing of a contract for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of Liberia’s first Solar Plant under the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE). The contract is valued at $16 million, and will deliver an installed capacity of 20MWp, to be located at the Mt. Coffee Hydro facility.
Monie Captan, Chief Executive Officer of LEC, said that the solar project is a historical milestone since it will be Liberia’s first ever utility-scale solar project undertaken in the country. This renewable energy source will complement the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant, especially during the dry season when water inflows from the St. Paul are at their lowest, which significantly reduces power output. This project is expected to be completed within a year.
Captan emphasized that while the project will not fully resolve the energy gap in the country, it will significantly increase energy generation capacity thus improving electricity supply. He further noted that the solar project marks a significant step in the country’s energy transition to incorporate more renewable energy.
Additionally, he announced ongoing procurement under RESPITE to expand the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant by more than 50% of its current capacity. Captan informed that LEC is working with development partners, especially the World Bank, on developing a new hydropower plant, St. Paul 2 (SP2), upstream of the St. Paul River. This plant is expected to produce between 150-200MW and will be a hybrid project comprising both hydro and solar generation. Feasibility studies for the new hydro will be completed by the end of 2024.