Liberia is facing a deepening electricity crisis after Côte d’Ivoire slashed power exports to the country by 85%, dealing a major blow to businesses and households already struggling with high energy costs.
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) announced that its power supply from Compagnie Ivoirienne d’Électricité (CIE) has plunged from 50 megawatts (MW) to just 7.5 MW, citing critical maintenance and production challenges in the neighboring country.
The power shortage has triggered widespread blackouts across Monrovia and its surroundings, forcing LEC to intensify load-shedding schedules, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without electricity for extended periods.
In a desperate bid to fill the gap, LEC has activated its thermal power plants, but the effort remains inadequate. The Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant, Liberia’s main domestic source of electricity, is also struggling due to low water levels, further weakening power generation capacity.
With no immediate solution in sight, hospitals, businesses, and industries that rely on grid electricity are now turning to fuel-powered generators, pushing up operational costs. The crisis has placed additional strain on small businesses, many of which may be forced to downsize operations or pass increased costs onto consumers, exacerbating economic hardships.
LEC Interim Team extolls
Ironically, the power crisis comes just a day after LEC’s Interim Management Team, led by Acting Managing Director Thomas Z. Gonkerwon was honored as “Best State Actor 2024” by a group of journalists. The timing of the award has sparked public criticism, with many questioning whether LEC deserves such recognition while Liberians continue to endure one of the country’s worst electricity shortages in years.
Compounding the outrage from the severe electricity shortage, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) have announced a revised fuel pricing structure, effective February 6, 2025.
While the U.S. dollar prices for gasoline and fuel oil remain unchanged, the Liberian dollar equivalent has increased to reflect the latest exchange rate of L$185 to US$1, as set by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
Under the new pricing, gasoline now costs L$790, equivalent to US$3.96 per gallon, while fuel oil (AGO) is priced at L$850, or US$4.26 per gallon. Wholesale prices stand at US$3.63 for gasoline and US$3.98 for fuel oil.
The government has assured the public that it will strictly monitor fuel stations to prevent illegal price hikes. The MoCI and LPRC Inspectorate Teams have been deployed to ensure compliance and prevent market manipulation.
However, with the electricity crisis forcing more people to rely on generators, fuel demand is expected to surge, raising concerns about potential shortages and further price increases.
As Liberia grapples with its latest energy emergency, experts are calling for urgent government intervention to address the country’s overreliance on imported electricity.
Some have proposed diversifying the energy mix, with greater investment in solar, wind, and expanded hydropower to reduce dependence on Côte d’Ivoire. Others are urging the government to renegotiate the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with CIE, seeking a more stable and sustainable supply arrangement.
For now, Liberia remains in a state of energy uncertainty, with no clear timeline for when the crisis will ease. As businesses and households brace for continued blackouts and rising energy costs, the question remains: How long can Liberia endure an electricity crisis with no viable long-term solution in place?
Original story by Liberian Observer
