Barcelona, Spain – Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung passionately advocated for enhanced international cooperation to bolster Liberia’s renewable energy sector during his address at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Barcelona, Spain.
The conference, commencing on June 25, 2024, and culminating tomorrow, June 28, 2024, has drawn significant attention to Africa’s energy challenges and opportunities.
Representing H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Koung highlighted Liberia’s vast natural resources juxtaposed against its acute energy deficits.
He stressed the critical need for comprehensive renewable energy initiatives, underscoring their pivotal role in sustainable development.
Acknowledging the imperative of public-private partnerships, Koung emphasized the collaborative efforts required to confront Africa’s energy crises effectively.
“We cannot afford to remain passive spectators,” Koung asserted, echoing his country’s determination to propel its energy landscape forward.
In his discourse, Koung referenced global climate imperatives, particularly aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement’s ambitious targets.
“Africa bears the brunt of climate change impacts despite its minimal contribution to global emissions,” he pointed out, urging accelerated investments in renewable energy infrastructure.
Highlighting Liberia’s promising renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and hydropower ventures, Koung outlined ambitious projects such as the 25-megawatt solar farm and the 16-megawatt SCATEC solar initiative.
These initiatives are pivotal in mitigating energy shortages during Liberia’s dry seasons, essential for economic stability and growth.
Moreover, Liberia aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with hydropower playing a central role in this green transformation.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector involvement, including deregulating the energy sector and establishing robust regulatory frameworks.
The Vice President extended a compelling invitation to global investors, emphasizing the mutually beneficial opportunities presented by Liberia’s St Paul River hydropower project.
“Let us move beyond rhetoric to tangible actions,” Koung urged, advocating for substantive investments that not only propel Liberia’s energy independence but also contribute meaningfully to global climate objectives.
Spain’s proactive stance on energy transition was also underscored, serving as a pertinent example of effective energy and climate policies that Liberia aims to emulate.
Credit: Spoon TV
