The Government of Liberia has signed a landmark contract for the construction of a 4.0 megawatt-peak (MWp) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Plant coupled with a 9.4 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), signaling a major step toward universal energy access in the country.
The agreement, finalized on July 21, was announced by Theophilus A.T. Kambo, World Bank Project Coordinator at the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), under the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP).
Valued at USD 10.67 million, the project is awarded to International Consolidated Contractors Offshore and is expected to be completed within 12 months. The initiative is part of Liberia’s Mission 300, the government’s flagship program aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
The solar power plant will be constructed in Bakuma Town, Lofa County, and serve as the backbone of a hybrid generation system, also featuring a 1.8 MW diesel plant and a 250,000-liter underground diesel storage unit. The integrated system will provide a stable and sustainable power supply to key towns including Voinjama, Foya, Kolahun, Bolahun, Massabolahun, and 20 other communities.
“This project is a transformative milestone for Liberia’s rural energy agenda,” said Mr. Kambo. “It reflects the government’s strong commitment to renewable energy, community development, and sustainable electrification.”
Once operational, the system will support:
126.4 km of medium-voltage and 211.4 km of low-voltage distribution networks
10,317 household connections across 112 transformers
An estimated reach of approximately 50,000 people
Technical Highlights:
4.0 MWp fixed-tilt solar array
9.4 MWh BESS with 95% Depth of Discharge (DoD)
3.0 MWac PV inverters and 1.5 MVA battery inverters
SCADA-based mini-grid controller for efficient energy dispatch
With a projected annual energy output of at least 3.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the system will run in a synchronized parallel mode, integrating diesel and solar components for optimal reliability.
Originally, a 2.3 MW hydro power plant had been planned for the area but was canceled due to unforeseen geotechnical complications and budgetary overruns that made the project cost-prohibitive.
Backed by the World Bank, the new solar-BESS system is seen as a critical intervention to enhance energy security, spur economic activity, and improve quality of life in some of Liberia’s most underserved areas.
“This hybrid solution is not only greener but more resilient and economically viable,” added Kambo. “It’s a direct response to the real challenges facing infrastructure in our rural communities.”
The project marks one of the largest renewable energy undertakings in Liberia’s history and sets the stage for expanded clean energy investments in the years ahead.
