The World Bank has announced a $2 million grant to support the groundbreaking of Liberia’s inaugural utility-scale solar power plant. Georgia Wallen, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Liberia, revealed that the funds will be allocated towards hiring a transaction advisor to assist in the competitive bidding process for solar Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The grant is also set to facilitate the completion of necessary feasibility studies, including the development of environmental and social frameworks, to pave the way for private-sector solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in the country. Wallen acknowledged the project’s significance, stating, “Through this project, we are laying the foundation for utility-scale solar PV plants in Liberia to power homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country.”
This initiative introduces a hybrid energy model that integrates solar power generation with Liberia’s existing hydropower infrastructure. The model is designed to address the energy supply challenges that arise during the country’s dry seasons by utilizing cost-effective solar resources.
The solar facility will be strategically situated at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Station, where it will benefit from existing infrastructure, thereby enhancing efficiency and capacity while reducing reliance on costly thermal power generation.
Wallen expressed optimism that the project will serve as a springboard for further solar energy development in Liberia, driving sustainable growth and bridging the energy access divide. She emphasized the urgency of delivering results swiftly and effectively, especially as the nation works towards the Liberia Rising 2030 vision. This vision is part of a broader strategy focused on directing public investments towards infrastructure and human capital development to boost the production of tradable goods and services, either for export or to replace imports.
Looking ahead, Liberia’s plans include the addition of another 70MW of solar PV power, a goal that could be expedited with the help of private sector investments.
In July 2024, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for a World Bank-funded $16 million regional intervention project known as the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE), covering Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, and Togo. The agreement was signed at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) office in Monrovia, in collaboration with the World Bank and the International Consolidated Contractors offshore SAL.
At the signing, LEC’s CEO Monie Ralph Captan stated the corporation’s intention to expand the capacity of the Mount Coffee facility and to increase the country’s renewable energy bandwidth by over 50%, further emphasizing Liberia’s commitment to enhancing its renewable energy sources.
