President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has initiated the construction of Liberia’s first utility-scale solar plant. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 11, 2024, in Harrisburg, Montserrado County. This project is a significant step in Liberia’s pursuit of renewable energy solutions.
In his speech, President Boakai highlighted the importance of addressing power shortages, particularly during the dry season when hydroelectric production decreases. He stated that integrating solar energy is crucial for diversifying Liberia’s energy mix and reducing costs for citizens and businesses. “My administration attaches the highest level of priority to the supply of adequate, reliable, and affordable energy,” he said.
The new solar plant is part of several initiatives to enhance Liberia’s energy capacity. President Boakai also mentioned plans to expand the Mt. Coffee hydroelectric plant and develop a second hydro plant on the St. Paul River (SP2). Furthermore, he emphasized efforts to ensure that the Liberia Electricity Corporation operates sustainably despite challenges like power theft.
The President acknowledged development partners’ roles in these projects and expressed gratitude to organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, European Investment Bank, US Government, Japanese Government, KfW, and West African Power Pool for their support. “The Government cannot do this alone,” he noted.
This initiative marks a critical advancement in modernizing Liberia’s energy infrastructure to support economic growth.
