In an effort to boost the electricity generation capacity of the country, Liberia has officially switched on and connected to the Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (CLSG TRANSCO) regional power grip.
Liberia currently operates an 80-megawatt capacity hydro dam that supply more than 100,00 household in Montserrado and parts adjacent. However, the demand for more electricity supply has overwhelmed the power capacity of the dam and the country recently entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with neighboring Ivory Coast in order to bridge the supply gap.
On Thursday, December1, 2022, Liberia dedicated a 27-megawatt substation at the Mount Coffee Hydro dam to increase electricity supply for citizens across Montserrado and nearby counties.
Liberia Electricity Cooperation Acting head, Monie R. Captain disclosed that the CLSG connection to the Liberian network will increase LEC’s power generation capacity by 27 Megawatts. He added that the power to be added on amounts to about 50% of what Mt. Coffee Hydro currently generates.
More power electricity for Liberia
Mr. Captan said the additional power will help Liberia go a long way in addressing the country’s dry season needs. Mr. Captan said as Liberia prepares to meet its future energy needs, LEC will shortly begin the implementation of a 20-megawatt solar power project and the expansion of the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant by two additional turbines through a partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Liberia.
The LEC management, says it is confident that the country is getting closer to its national goal of increasing access to electricity for all Liberians. With the growing demand for electricity, the LEC management is encouraging all its customers currently connected to the national grid, to use electricity efficiently and avoid wasteful consumption.
Additionally, the West African Power Pool, the Government of Liberia, and the World Bank are undertaking a feasibility study for the development of a 148MW hydropower plant upstream of the St. Paul River, a press release issued by the LEC said.
Pay for electricity
Liberia’s Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean described the CLSG connection a people-center project, wants every citizen of country applaud the idea, and put aside politics because electricity effects lives in a positive way. He cautioned Liberians not to renege on their electricity bill as it is the only means to enjoy 24-hour electricity.
Cllr. Dean added: “Those of us in the community should know that the electricity is not free, so do not go steal it. I know you… The people power they brought here (in Liberia) is not free.” He urged Liberians to take full responsibility and make sure the bills are paid to make LEC viable. “I am not a politician. I am a law enforcement officer, so do not steal the power yaa.”
