By G Bennie Bravo Johnson i
In the quest to provide constant electricity during the dry season, Liberian leader, President Joseph N. Boakai has broken ground for the construction of a US$96 million – 20mw Solar Farm at the Mount Coffee Power Plant.
The anticipated solar plan is expected to be dedicated in August 2025 and will address power shortages during the dry season through the integration of solar energy, will cover 23 hectors of land in Mount Coffee, Harrisburg.
Speaking Saturday, October 11, 2023, at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai asserted that during the dry season when water levels are low and hydro production drops, the abandonment of solar energy becomes essential to the development of Liberia’s energy sector. “The groundbreaking of this solar farm marked a major milestone in the development of our energy sector and the pursuit of our goals to renew energy in Liberia,” he stated.
According to him, solar is also a more reasonable source of energy; adding that it is what the country needs to bring down the energy cost. The Liberian leader boasted that his administration is committed and ready to supply adequate, liable, and affordable energy. Boakai reaffirmed his government commitment to the country’s energy priority investment project including the expansion of Mount Coffee and all solar projects. President Boakai applauded the World Bank and the project contractors for the 20mw Solar Farm project. At the same time, the Liberian leader charged Liberians to be more nationalistic and own up to projects that promote national development.
“We come and put projects in communities and after we leave, the community ends up owning the projects. Own the projects and make sure things that are installed are in place and secured.” In furtherance, he charged project administrators to ensure that communities hosting national projects benefit from whatever the outcome of the project is. “There is a water treatment plant and dam here, but the community doesn’t have current and water. Make sure the community benefits from the projects.”
For her part, World Bank Country Director Madam Georgia Wallen said, the solar PV plant’s location at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Station is extremely strategic; adding that by utilizing existing land, assets, and infrastructure innovatively, the project maximizes benefits while helping with managing potential risks. Also, according to her, the solar plant will complement the existing Mt. Coffee hydropower plant.
Madam Wallen narrated that the hybrid model will help to address the stubborn, annual challenge of dry season energy demand by harnessing low-cost solar resources complemented by hydropower. She said it will boost energy efficiency and capacity, and help displace expensive thermal generation. ”Second, this comes at the right time. The 2030 target date for Liberia Rising is inching closer- adding urgency to deliver results with speed and efficiency,” she noted.
Madam Wallen explained that through the project, the World Bank is laying the foundation for utility-scale solar PV plants in Liberia to power homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country. “We believe this project will catalyze further solar energy development, paving the way for more sustainable growth and helping to close the energy access gap,” she said.
Madam Wallen, “I am pleased to note that there will be about USD$2 million in grant funding under the World Bank-funded LESSAP project to engage a transaction advisor for solar Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to be procured through competitive bidding.” The World Bank Country Director narrated that the grant will also support the completion of feasibility studies, including the preparation of environmental and social instruments for private-sector solar PV plants.
