Liberia has commenced construction on its first utility-scale solar facility, a 20-MW plant located in Harrisburg, Montserrado County. This project marks a significant step in the country's efforts to enhance its energy capacity and promote clean, renewable energy solutions, as outlined in a recent statement from the Liberian president's office.
The solar plant will be integrated with the existing 88-MW Mount Coffee Hydropower facility, providing additional power supply, particularly during the dry season. In July, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) signed a USD 16 million contract with International Consolidated Contractors Offshore SAL for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of the solar project, which is expected to be completed within a year.
This initiative is backed by several international organizations, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the U.S. and Japanese governments, among others.
Additionally, LEC's chief executive Monie Captan revealed plans for a further 16.5-MW solar project in Scheifflin, developed in partnership with Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This solar farm is part of a broader initiative to expand the Mount Coffee hydropower plant's capacity to 126 MW, with a total estimated investment of USD 96 million.
Moreover, Liberia is planning to develop a new hydropower plant, known as St Paul 2 (SP2), which is projected to generate between 150 MW and 200 MW.
