President Joseph N. Boakai on Friday, October 11, 2024, broke grounds for the construction of Liberia’s first 20 Megawatts solar farm at the Mount Coffee Power Plant. President Boakai said the 20MW solar farm will address power shortage during the dry season through the integration of solar energy, which is abundant during the dry season when waters levels are low and the hydro production drops.
“This ground breaking of this solar farm marks a major milestone in the development our energy sector and the pursuit of our goals and to renew energy in Liberia,” he said. President Boakai described the project as Liberia’s first ever utility skills solar plant and a more reasonable source of energy which will in turn lower the cost of energy.
He said his administration is committed and ready to supply adequate, liable and affordable energy, while prioritizing investment projects including the expansion of Mount Coffee and all solar projects. President Boakai applauded the World Bank and the project contractors for the 20mw Solar Farm project.
For her part, World Bank Country Director Madam Georgia Wallen said, the solar PV plant’s location at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Station is extremely strategic; by utilizing existing land, assets, and infrastructure in an innovative way, the project maximizes benefits while helping with managing potential risks. Also, according to her, the solar plant will complement the existing Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant.
Madam Wallen narrated that the hybrid model will help to address the stubborn, annual challenge of dry season energy demand by harnessing low-cost solar resources complemented by hydropower. She said it will boost energy efficiency and capacity, and help displace expensive thermal generation. ”Second, this comes at the right time. The 2030 target date for Liberia Rising is inching closer- urgency to deliver results with speed and efficiency,” she said.
Madam Wallen said through the project, the World Bank is laying the foundation for utility-scale solar PV plants in Liberia to power homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country. “We believe this project will serve as a catalyst for further solar energy development, paving the way for more sustainable growth and helping to close the energy access gap,” she said.
Wallen: “I am pleased to note that there will be about USD$2 million in grant funding under the World Bank funded LESSAP project to engage a transaction advisor for solar Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to be procured through competitive bidding.”
The World Bank Country Director said the grant will also support the completion of feasibility studies, including the preparation of environmental and social instruments for private sector solar PV plants.
