In a significant move towards sustainable energy, Liberia's government, in partnership with the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the World Bank, officially launched the construction of the country's first utility-scale solar power plant on October 11, 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE) took place at the Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant, with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and other key officials in attendance.
Georgia Wallen, the World Bank's Liberia Country Manager, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the historic significance of the occasion. "Today’s event is groundbreaking in more ways than one,” she stated. “As we break ground on Liberia’s first utility-scale solar PV plant, we are marking a giant step towards realizing the Liberian people’s aspirations for affordable, reliable, clean energy to power their future.”
The new solar facility, strategically located at Mount Coffee Hydropower Station, will utilize existing infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency. Wallen noted that this hybrid model would address the energy demand challenges during Liberia's dry seasons by combining solar energy with hydropower. "This project will improve energy efficiency and capacity while reducing reliance on costly thermal generation," she explained.
Wallen emphasized the project's alignment with Liberia's long-term development goals, particularly the urgency to achieve the 2030 target for Liberia Rising. She stated that this initiative would lay the groundwork for further solar development in the country, potentially powering homes, schools, and businesses.
Additionally, Wallen announced approximately $2 million in grant funding from the World Bank's Liberia Energy Sector Support Project (LESSAP) to support feasibility studies for future solar projects and encourage private sector investment.
The World Bank's commitment extends beyond energy infrastructure; it aims to address socio-economic challenges and promote sustainable growth. Wallen expressed gratitude to the Liberian government for its leadership in renewable energy initiatives, thanking the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the LEC, and the RESPITE project team for their efforts in making the project a reality.
コメント