In a bid to gain firsthand insight into Liberia’s electricity landscape, newly appointed members of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) embarked on an illuminating tour of key facilities managed by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and TRANSCO-CLSG.
The tour, held on June 28, marked a pivotal step in their onboarding process, aimed at deepening their understanding of the sector’s operations and challenges.
Led by Atty. Kla-Edward Toomey, II and Amara M. Kamara, the commissioners commenced their visit at the heart of Liberia’s power generation capability, the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant.
Engineer Abu Dekontee Sanso, acting Managing Director of LERC, guided the delegation through the intricate workings of the plant, emphasizing its critical role in the nation’s energy mix.
With a capacity to generate 88MW, Mount Coffee serves as a linchpin in Liberia’s quest to meet burgeoning electricity demands, despite facing operational setbacks, including the ongoing repair of a damaged unit.
Mr. M. Hady Sheriff, Executive Director for Commercial & Regulatory Affairs at LEC, underscored the pressing need for augmenting Liberia’s energy infrastructure, revealing plans for a new 20MW solar photovoltaic plant at Mount Coffee.
Scheduled to complement existing facilities, this initiative promises crucial support during dry seasons when hydroelectric output is typically constrained.
The delegation’s next stop brought them to the TRANSCO-CLSG substation also situated at Mount Coffee, where Engineer Mohammed Sow detailed the network’s expansive footprint across Liberia.
Despite significant investments in transmission lines and substations, Engineer Sow lamented that only one of the five constructed substations is currently operational.
TRANSCO-CLSG’s ambitious interconnector project, spanning 1,350 km, facilitates electricity exports from Côte d’Ivoire to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, yet its full potential remains underutilized due to infrastructure gaps within Liberia.
In response, the commissioners expressed admiration for the strides made by LEC and TRANSCO-CLSG, while highlighting the substantial work still required to fortify Liberia’s electricity framework.
Commissioner Atty. Toomey, II affirmed their commitment to collaborate closely with the Liberian government and stakeholders to bolster the sector’s resilience.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Kamara reaffirmed LERC’s steadfast dedication to executing its regulatory mandate, aimed at achieving the government’s vision of accessible and affordable electricity for all Liberians.
The tour concluded with a consensus among attendees on the imperative need for sustained investments and strategic planning to overcome the sector’s challenges.
As Liberia charts its course towards a more robust energy future, initiatives like those seen at Mount Coffee and TRANSCO-CLSG stand as testament to both the progress made and the path ahead.
With unity and resolve, Liberia’s energy sector looks poised to illuminate countless opportunities for economic growth and societal advancement if much is done .
