Liberia Energy Situation

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Liberia

Capital:

Monrovia

Region:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Coordinates:

6.3167° N, 10.8000° W

Total Area (km²): It includes a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways.

111,370

Population: It is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin.

5,418,377 (2023)

Rural Population (% of total population): It refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.

46 (2023)

GDP (current US$): It is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources.

43,320,000,002 (2023)

GDP Per Capita (current US$): It is gross domestic product divided by midyear population

799.50 (2023)

Access to Electricity (% of population): It is the percentage of population with access to electricity.

31.80 (2022)

Energy Imports Net (% of energy use): It is estimated as energy use less production, both measured in oil equivalents. A negative value indicates that the country is a net exporter. Energy use refers to use of primary energy before transformation to other end-use fuels, which is equal to indigenous production plus imports and stock changes, minus exports and fuels supplied to ships and aircraft engaged in international transport.

no data

Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption (% of total): It comprises coal, oil, petroleum, and natural gas products.

no data

Source: World Bank

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Introduction

Liberia has currently a population of roughly 4.6 million people. It is estimated that 38% of the population has an income of less than US$1.90 a day. Poverty is considerably higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

Energy consumption in Liberia is dominated by biomass with a share of more than 80% of the used primary energy sources. Most important is woody biomass being used for domestic cooking and heating. In 2004, it was estimated that over 95% of the population depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating needs and palm oil for lighting. The most recent Census (2008 data, published in 2009) shows that 70% of the urban population use charcoal for cooking and 5% of the rural population; 91% of the rural population use firewood for cooking and 21% of the urban population. In Monrovia, the percentage of households using charcoal is even higher, 85%. Around 2% of the population have access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking (World Bank, 2014)

Modern energy services based on electricity and petroleum products are predominantly used for economic production and transportation. In the households, the use of modern energy services consists mainly of kerosene, electricity, and liquefied petroleum gas for lighting, cooking, and entertainment. These are used by higher income households in urban areas.

Historically, electricity was mainly provided in the capital of Monrovia; around 35,000 customers—almost 13 percent of the population—were served by 1989. Total installed electricity capacity was 191 MW. The generation mix was composed of hydropower from the plant at Mt. Coffee—with a supply capacity of 63 MW during the wet season and 5 MW during the dry season (six months)—and 31 percent HFO and 21 percent diesel. The utility LEC also handled the electricity supply of rural areas outside Monrovia through 10 small isolated power systems with a total installed capacity of 13 MW.

According to the data of the government and world bank, about 16.8% of urban residents and less than 2% of rural residents have currently electricity access largely from self-generation with gasoline or diesel generators using expensive imported fuel. The access rate to public electricity is roughly 1%. In March 2012 LEC served about 5,600 connections in Monrovia (around 2,500 residents from an estimated number of 210,000 households), In August 2012 already 11,000 customers are served by LEC. A baseline study carried out by Norad estimates that close to 90,000 households and businesses in Monrovia may be served by small gasoline and diesel generators.Imported electricity from Ivory Coast can be used by around 36000 persons in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Maryland county.

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Energy Potentials in Liberia

Solar

The humid, tropical climate in Liberia shows relatively constant temperatures throughout the year, around the average of 27° C (81° F ), hardly ever outside the range of 20° C (68° F ) to 36° C (97° F ). In Liberia, monthly solar radiation on horizontal surface ranges from about 4 kWh/m²/day during the rainy season in June, July, August to 6 kWh/m²/day during the height of dry season in February and March.

This high and consistent potential for solar energy across the country adds to an average level of 1,712 kWh/m2/year, which could generate 1,400 to 1,500 kWh/kWp.

Biomass

Some 43% of the land is covered with forests (41,790 square kilometers, World Bank 2015), thus there is no lack of trees in Liberia. There are 11 designated National Forests in the country (under limited protection), and two legally protected areas, Sapo National Park (approximately 149,000 ha) and East Nimba (about 15,000 ha). The FDA, Forest Development Authority has the exclusive rights to manage forest resources and focuses on large-scale concessions for timber extraction.

The US national Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) studied biomass resources (other than forestry) in Liberia with a view how these resources could be used for energy purposes. NREL also indicated that the potential annual waste stream from logging operations - once they restart - could be very substantial, with an estimated 20 million m3 available (162,645 TJ/year), of which 10.9 million m3 at sawmills and the remainder at the logging site; most of that waste would be lost. The annual waste at the sawmills would be able to produce 100 million bags of charcoal, if all waste were convertible into charcoal; this is much more than is currently used in the country.

NREL further estimates that of the total cropland in Liberia, 37% of the territory, only 6% is currently cultivated. The remaining cropland amounts to some 3 million hectares, which indicates that in addition to existing resources, there is a large potential for new crops including tree crops that could yield resources suitable for charcoal production.

Large-scale rubber plantations (>800 ha) in Liberia today cover an area of approximately 58,000 hectares, some of which are in close vicinity of Monrovia; more land used to be under rubber trees as well: NREL estimates about 100,000 ha in total. Buchanan Renewables indicated that the area currently under rubber trees (all types of plantations combined) would be more like 250,000 ha, of which possibly one-third should be renewed soon. There are also smaller rubber plantations (5-800 ha), but these are generally perceived to have newer trees on their estates. In addition, there are numerous household plantations below 5 ha each.

An active rubber plantation annually generates considerable amounts of wood residues from pruning and replanting activities, and charcoalers are known to use this for making charcoal. Trees need replacement after 25-30 years when these cease to be productive; approximately 81 dry tonnes of wood (trunks, branches) can be obtained per hectare of old trees (about 180 m3 of green wood).

Oil palm trees are abundant in the coastal regions, on family plots, in the wild, and on abandoned plantations (30,000 ha). Most trees are at the end of their productive life. It is unknown if old trees are converted into charcoal.
The average household farm is 1.2 ha, and 6% of the 353 thousand farms have coconut trees as a cash crop, 13% have oil palms, and 32% cacao trees. It is not known to what extent these trees contribute to charcoal production, but it is certain that it cannot be ignored.

Hydropower

Liberia has a rainy season between April and November, various rivers and a long sea coast. Yearly rainfall is around 510 cm (200 in) on the coast, 200 cm (80 in) inland. Average relative humidity is about 82% in the coastal area during the rainy season, and 78% to 50% in the dry season.

According to the Rural Energy Strategy and Masterplan, hydropower potential of 2 300 MW has been identified in Liberia. This potential is mainly on large rivers with high mean annual flow and low heads. Several locations have heads and flows above 50 m3/s, thus good for above 5 MW hydro schemes. However, the potential varies between rainy season and dry season.

Wind

The potential for wind energy in Liberia is estimated to be relatively low. Although there might be some potential in coastal and mountainous regions, probably not enough for commercial exploitation; if at all, few sites might have the required minimum wind speed of 7m/s for wind power turbans plants. In the 2015 SE4All Action Agenda Report, Wind Generation in Liberia is projected to reach 0.47GWh in 2025. There is no assessment for wind energy or any recommendation to use wind energy in the Liberia Rural Energy Strategy and Masterplan.  

Fossil Fuels

All fossil fuels consumed in Liberia are imported. Liberia has someffshore oil blocksfrom the continental shelf to water depths of 2500-4500 meters. The geology of the Liberian basin is complex, and finding oil will be extremely difficult and expensive. Since 2011, multinational oil companies have received licences for exploration activities.Anadarko Petroleum, African Petroleum, Chevron and ExxonMobil signed productions sharing contracts (PSC) with the Liberian government.  Some of these companies subsequently began exploratory drilling;10 wells have been drilled so far.

African Petroleum announced that it has discovered a total of 32 metres (105 feet) of net oil pay in two zones in Liberia. ExxonMobil finally began drilling on November 22, 2016. ExxonMobil found no oil and announced on December 19, 2016 that there is not enough oil in the well to get more than the money required to invest in extracting the oil from the well. However, there was enough evidence in the rock samples that were extracted from the seafloor to keep Exxon investigating other spots in the blockwith cheaper exploration tools rather than drilling which can cost as much as $1m a day.

A number of oil companies have relinquished oil blocks, including Anadarko, Repsol and Tullow and recently African Petroleum. Market challenges and lack of interest in the Liberian oil basin due to the history of no discoveries of oil in commercial quantities in the basin.

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Key Problems of the Energy Sector

In accordance to Power Africa, Liberia's energy sector's biggest issues and bottlenecks are as follows:

• Weak and under developed enabling environment 
  
• Weak public utility that is not commercially viable, with high tariff and high commercial losses
  
• Delayed expansion of transmission and distribution network to evacuate existing generation capacity 
  
• Nascent off-grid sector
  

Energy for cooking from Biomass

Charcoal

According to the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), a total of 255 tons of commercial charcoal was consumed in 1999. The National Charcoal Union of Liberia (NACUL) estimated that charcoal consumption in Liberia went up to 36,500 tons in 2005 and that 960,000 trees were cut around Monrovia every year. Production and consumption increased further and reached at least 100.000 tones. Other sources estimate that production/consumption has already reached between 235’000 and 285’000 tons for the year 2010 with a per capita production/consumption of 59 kg per year.

Charcoal production and commercialization are entirely run by private operators and community-based organizations. There are no firm data on firewood consumption in Liberia, but findings from a survey conducted by CSET in 2004 indicate that scarcity of firewood could become a serious problem in some parts of Liberia, especially in Montserrado County.

Firewood

Annual consumption of firewood is estimated to be 1 m³ per person and year. In some rural areas it can go up to 18m3 per household. Forecast for the country estimates an annual increase in demand of about 0.6 m³ per household. Other estimates foresee an annual increase in demand of about 0,43 m³ per person. On the other hand, most rural household use firewood that is collected from their immediate surroundings, consisting mainly of dead wood, branches, etc.,

Although more households are using firewood than charcoal, the number of trees available is so large and the population density is relatively low so that it is reasonable to assume that the collection of firewood does not pose a problem in the short and medium run. The potential for serious environmental damage to wood resources as a result of charcoal production is more severe.

Improved cook stoves

Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking is limited to around 2% of the population (World Bank, 2014). Stoves using gas or electricity can be bought and used mainly in Monrovia.

Improved cook stoves for charcoals (“Red Fire Pots”) have been introduced by GIZ/EnDev and are locally produced and sold mainly in Monrovia. One retailer also imports improved cook stoves.

Electricity Situation

Electricity Supply

The installed generation capacity is 88MW hydroelectric facility Mount Coffee and 36MW Diesel facility on Bushrod Island, powering the main grid in Greater Monrovia operated by LEC. They had 22 MW of high speed diesel generation at the Bushrod Island facility, but most have been decommissioned, with only 5MW still operational, of which 2.5MW is available. Thus, in total LEC has 88MW of hydro, 38 HFO and 5MW LHO, bringing to a total 131 MW. A challenge is the insufficient transmission and distribution infrastructure, that is currently extended.

In Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties electricity is imported from Cote d’Ivoire reaching 36,000 persons by the end of July 2017 and is still rising. This cross-border project has been supported by the EU.

A number of Government agencies, community organizations and private sector establishments in rural locations in several counties have been able to receive diesel generators, small hydropower or biomass plants and solar power systems through USAID, EU, the United Nations Development Programme, and some NGOs.

The number of households using solar PV systems in Liberia is not known, but remains small. Only one small wind turbine has been noticed in Monrovia. Currently, there are no data on the number of people using stand alone diesel plants in the country. With regard to electricity access by household, The Liberia Electricity Company (LEC) has some scattered data on the capitals of the counties. Due largely to expensive diesel production, Liberia had one of the highest public tariffs in the world (in October 2012 $0.52/kWh). Since the hydropower plant is operational, the tariff has dropped ($0.39/kWh  to $0.45/kWh in 2017) The cost of self-generation is estimated at not less than US $0.75/kWh.

Liberia has considerable potential for hydroelectric power. At the onset of civil war there were three operational hydroelectric power plants in Liberia: Harbel (Firestone), 4MW; Mount Coffee (LEC), 64MW; and Yandahun (a community micro hydro in Lofa County), 30KW. The Mount Coffee and Yandahun plants were destroyed during the war, and have been reconstructed recently with higher capacities, .

Mini-grids powered by renewable energies

The web portal www.renewables-liberia.info compiles, coordinates and updates information and knowledge about renewable energy activities in Liberia. The continuously updated overview  below is copied from www.renewables-liberia.info/index.php/projects-new/project-sector-strenthening/156-mini-grids-in-liberia.

Community	County	Technology	funder	implementer	operated by	capacity	start date	status
Yandohun hydropower mini-grid	Lofa	Hydro	World Bank	RREA	local cooperative	60KW	2013	operational
Electricity from rubber wood chips in Kwendin, Nimba (RREA)	Nimba	Biomass (wood)	USAID	NRICA	local cooperative	60KW	2016	operational
Palm oil generated electricity in Sorlumba, Lofa (USAID)	Lofa	Biomass (palm oil)	USAID	NRICA	local cooperative	25kw	2017	almost operational
Totota	Bong	solar/diesel			private operator	25KW	2016	operational, plans for extention
Hydropower/Diesel grid for Lofa (RREA, World Bank)	Lofa	hydro/diesel	World Bank	RREA	private operator	2.5MW	2019	planned
Langbemba	Lofa	solar	EU	PLAN & VOSIEDA	local cooperative	31.1KW	2017	Needs repair after fire
Taninahun	Lofa	solar	EU	PLAN & VOSIEDA	local cooperative	28.5KW	2017	Operational
Mamikonedu	Lofa	solar	EU	PLAN & VOSIEDA	local cooperative	25.5KW	2017	Operational
Koiyama	Lofa	solar	EU	PLAN & VOSIEDA	local cooperative	22.5KW	2017	Operational
Nyengbelahun	Lofa		EU	PLAN & VOSIEDA	local cooperative	??	2017	Operational
Gbarnway	Lofa		USAID			24KW

Electricity Consumption

 According to the World Fact book (CIA) electricity consumption is about 39 million kWh (2016 est.) Based on a 2014 household survey, only 4.5% of Liberians use Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC)power. 4.9% use a community generator, 4.4% have their own generator, 3.9% use vehicle batteries, and 0.8% use other sources of electricity. 81.3% have no access to electricity. LEC accounts for roughly 70 million kWh of ouput. (2016 est.)

9.1% of the population have access to electricity, 16.8% or urban population and 1.7% of rural population (World Bank, 2014)

The actual demand for Liberia, including the various concessions, is likely to be in excess of 350 MW by 2020, for the following reasons:

• Liberia’s population has been growing at an average annual rate of 2.5%. Over 42 percent of the population is under 14 years of age. With a large pent-up demand for consumer goods and services as evidenced by previous levels of demand and rising incomes, demand for energy used in the production of these goods will increase as the population rises.
  
• Since pre-conflict electricity capacity exceeded 400 MW, it seems likely that at some point the economy will begin to take off and very quickly reach previous levels of capacity. Industries which are large consumers of energy are only now looking at Liberia for opportunities to re-invest. Cement processing, rubber processing, breweries, and other factories and industrial operations have a huge demand for power. Prior to the civil conflict, the iron ore industry consumed about 210 MW of electricity. Although none of these former mines are currently in operation, the Government has prioritized their re-opening in the short to medium term, beginning with a recent concession agreement with ArcelorMittal for one of the former mines. The next two concessions for the Western Cluster iron ore deposits and the Old Bong Mines will be awarded soon. Furthermore, aggressive mineral exploration and resource appraisal programs for additional iron ore deposits are underway. The prospects for new hard rock mines for minerals such as gold, diamonds, uranium, and bauxite are very promising. The demand for energy for these operations in the medium and long term will be very significant, and without a strong Government energy policy, the requisite power to fuel these mining operations will not be developed.
  
• The agriculture sector, although mostly artisanal at present, has a high demand for energy services. Agro-based concessions, such as rubber and other mechanized activities, produce electricity for their own consumption. Demand for energy in agriculture in the short, medium, and long term will be significant.
  

Almost 50% of Liberia’s population resides in rural areas, while most of the remaining live in and around the urban center of Monrovia. Rural households expend a significant amount of their meager incomes on inferior forms of energy such as candles, flashlights, and kerosene or oil lanterns for lighting. Higher fuel costs result from long transportation distances, fragmented delivery systems, and absence of economies of scale.

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Energy Policy, Strategy and Institutions

The Government of Liberia (GOL) is considering energy access to the population, particularly to the previously neglected rural poor a cornerstone of its policy. The following overview of policies, strategies, legal and institutional framework is taken with friendly permission from http://www.renewables-liberia.info/index.php/home/liberia-s-energy-landscape.

 

Policies, strategies, commitments

The GoL published in 2007 a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan. In the document the government outlines its policy to build and increase the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in Liberia by promoting investment, technology transfer, market development and local capacity building.

In 2009 a National Energy Policy Policy for Liberia (NEPL) aims to ensure universal access to modern energy services in an affordable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner in order to foster the economic, political, and social development of Liberia.  This is to be achieved by good governance and ensuring financial transparency in all sector transactions, overcoming the significant obstacles to private sector investment in energy supply; and creating the requisite institutional and legal framework and an independent regulatory regime.In addition, the GoL declares its intention to drive Liberia towards a carbon neutral economy by 2050.

Liberia has the Vision “Liberia RISING 2030” aiming for Liberia to become a Middle Income Country by the year 2030. This vision includes and proposes the targets of having 70% of Monrovia be connected to the electricity grid and 35% of the rural areas of Liberia connected to mini-grids/isolated, stand-alone units by 2030.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy and the follow-upAgenda for Transformation (the first five years on the road towards the Vision “Liberia Rising 2030”) strive to consolidate peace and security, revitalize the economy, strengthen governance and the rule of law; and rehabilitate infrastructure and delivering basic services.  The Agenda for Transformation (AfT) recognizes that investments in energy to unlock the urban and rural economies have the greatest return on investments and should be prioritized by expanding electricity access throughout the country.

Liberia is committed to making progress with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Energy for all (SE4ALL) Initiative, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The commitment of the government of Liberia to SE4ALL Action Agenda has been developed with the backdrop of the country’s overall development objectives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the national Agenda for Transformation (AfT) objectives, the National Energy Policy of Liberia (NEPL) and achievement of the MDGs, SDGs and the SE4ALL objectives in Liberia

As a member state of ECOWAS, Liberia subscribed and participated in the adoption of the ECOWAS policies on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) to be implemented at the national level.

In 2016, theRural Energy Strategy and Master Plan For Liberia (RESMP) was presented and published under http://liberiaruralenergy.org.  

Rural Energy Strategy and Master Plan

The Rural Energy Strategy and Master Plan (RESMP) aims to achieve the GoL’s rural electrification access rate of 35% by 2030, benefitting about 1.3 million people.

It includes targets for the period until 2030:

• Electrification rate for the population outside of Monrovia of 10% in 2020, 20% in 2025 and 35% in 2030
• All county capitals, health facilities and secondary schools electrified already before 2025
• More than 75% of all electricity generated from renewables by 2030 with 19% coming from other than large hydro: Mini-hydro, Solar and Biomass.
  
• Universal access to affordable solar lamps, efficient appliances and cook stoves.
• electrification of at least 2,000 settlements with grid infrastructure connecting at least 50% of those settlement’s population by 2030.
  
• the ten largest settlements in every county electrified with no county having less than 15% electrification rate by 2030.
  
• a credit/subsidy mechanism for connection of poor and woman-led households through Rural Energy Fund, promoting active participation of women in the jobs that will be created for electrifying the country.

The RESMP covers 5 Programs, which consists of 21 Initiatives and 92 projects. For more information: http://liberiaruralenergy.org.  

 

Legal framework

The 2015 Electricity Law of Liberia

Liberian Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), will be empowered to generate and distribute electricity within a prescribed service area. By law, this independent Regulator must be in place from October 23, 2017. However, it is not in place yet. Until the LERC is created, the licenses will be issued by the MLME.

A Mini-Grid Code for Liberia is in the process to be developed to define legal, technical, quality of service, safety and other conditions through which future service providers will be authorized to offer commercial energy services. This is to ensure that electric service offered by future service providers complies with international best practices.

The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Law and NOCAL Act of 2014 was approved in 2016 and replaced the National Oil Law of 2000. Commercial and regulatory functions in the petroleum are separated into two institutions: Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL).  All petroleum contracts require competitive bidding. The law also outlines standards for royalties and other fees in production sharing contracts and requires companies to declare true owners and beneficial ownership disclosure.

Institutional Set Up

The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME), especially the Department of Energy (DoE), is responsible to plan, formulate and strengthen energy policies, regulatory & institutional frameworks and strateigies, to create a conducive environment for delivery of electricity and rural electrification.

The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), a utility financed by various multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, plans to broaden energy transmission and distribution to function through corridors surrounding Monrovia, over to Buchanan, Kakata and through the counties of Nimba, Maryland and Grand Gedeh.

The Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), is an autonomous agency (reporting to the president) mandated to commercially develop and provide modern energy services to rural Liberia with emphasis on utilizing available local renewable energy resources. The RREA’s mandate includes integrating energy into rural development planning; promotion of renewable energy technologies; facilitating delivery of energy products and services; and facilitating the funding of rural energy projects including managing a Rural Energy Fund (REFUND) for sustainable energy services financing, coordinating domestic and international financial resources. REFUND is not yet in place.

The RREA also holds the Secretariat of the Rural Energy Working Group (REWG) that aims to monitor and coordinate activities towards rural electrification. The Steering Committee of the REWG started monthly meetings in October 2017 and includes the Secretariat (RREA), relevant GOL entities (MLME, LEC, MCC/MCA, RREA, EPA, MPW, MIA, etc.) and Development Partners (USAID, EU, WB, AfDB, SE/SIDA, MCA/MCC, GIZ/EnDev, etc.).

The West African Power Pool (WAPP), founded in 2000, is a cooperation of national electricity companies in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The aim is to establish a reliable power grid for the region and a common market for electricity. In Liberia, WAPP is involved in the cross-border electricity transmission from Cote d’Ivoire.

The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) grants Reconnaissance License, Petroleum Agreement and License for Petroleum Transportation System. 

The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) administers and controls the rights, title, and interest in oil and gas deposits and reserves in the Liberian territory.

Internationally Funded Projects and Programmes

The web portal www.renewables-liberia.info compiles, coordinates and updates information and knowledge about renewable energy activities in Liberia. The continuously updated overview (copied below with friendly permission) and more detailed information of past and current development programs can be found at http://www.renewables-liberia.info/index.php/projects-new/programs.

Current programs or projects

Name	Key activities	Implementer	Region	Funded by	Duration
Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP)	TA for off-grid market; loans for electricity service providers; Support to electrify public institutions.	ECREEE	19 countries: 15 West Africa, 4 Sahel	World Bank	2017- 2022
LIRENAP	Hybrid hydropower and Diesel plant and grid in Lofa, Capacity Building; Market development of stand-alone solar systems	RREA	Lofa, nation-wide	Strategic Climate Fund Grant, Worldbank	28-Jan-2016 to 30-Jun-2021
EnDev Liberia	Strengthen Renewable Energy Sector, Promotion of solar technologies, Pico PV, cocoa solar dryers, improved cookstoves	GIZ/EnDev	Nation-wide	Netherlands, Germany, UK, Australia, Norway, Swizzerland	2012-2018
LUL	Curriculum Development, Market Facilitation, Financial service and Pico-grid installation	Mercy Corps	Margibi, Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa,  Rural Montserrado, Gbarpolu,	EU	March 2016-2019
LUOF	Solar electrifying five remote communities	PLAN International, VOSEIDA	Lofa	EU	2015-2017
Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant	Rehabilitation of  hydropower plant (generating units, powerhouse, intake, dam and spillway) and reservoir, 132/66 kilovolt (kV) substation, two 132/66 kV transmission lines, expansion of receiving substations in Monrovia.	Manitoba Hydro International, Norplan Fichtner, Voith, Dawnus, Andritz, Ncc, Eltel, Psm Jv, Hydro Operation International	Montserrado	Norway (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Germany (KFW Development Bank, European Investment Bank), USA (Millenium Challenge Corporation), GoL	May 2012- Dec. 2017
Light Every Birth (We Care Solar & partners)	Solar suitcases for maternity wards	We Care Solar, UNICEF, GIZ/EnDev, Africare, PHIL	Nation-wide	UNDESA, UBS Optimus Foundation, Gilead Foundation and private donors	2016-18
Liberia Renewable Energy Project	9.34 MW mini-hydro power plant at Gbedin Falls		Nimba county	AfDB	2018-
Concessions in South East	TA on how private sector can be attracted to 5 major settlements in S.E. First financial pre-feasibility study - Gbanga prioritised	TBD	South East: Cestos city, Greenville, Barclayville, Harper, Pleebo, Fish town, Zwedru, Tappita, and Gbarnga	EU	ongoing
Power Africa - Beyond the Grid	Rehabilitation of Mt. Coffee hydroelectric plant, pilot projects, road rehabilitation	NRECA		USAID	2015-March 2018
Technical Assistance for reduction of maternal mortality in Liberia	Telemedicine support for midwives, trainings, solar installations, smartphones	Epos, MoH, GIZ/EnDev	Grand Gedeh	EU	2017
LEEAP	Constructing transmission and distribution lines, capacity building	LEC	Montserrado, Bomi, River Gee, Maryland	AfDB, TSF, NTF, EU, GEF, GoL	2017-2019

Past development programs or projects

Name	Key activities	Implementer	Region	Funded by	Duration
The Lighting Lives in Liberia (LLL) Project	Solar electrifications,  elaboration of regulations, market support for stand-alone solar systems.	RREA	Nationwide	Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund Grant, World Bank.	2012-2017
Renewable Energy Sources to Rural Primary Health Care Facilities	204 health facilities in 15 counties received DC solar installations, 410 health facility staff were trained in maintenance of solar systems.	Merlin, Save the Children International- Liberia	Nation-wide	EU Energy Facility II and the Government of Liberia	August 2011 – August 2014
Cross-border Supply of Electricity to Rural Communities in Liberia from Cote d'Ivoire	Facilitate the construction of cross-border (MV) interconnections from Cote d’Ivoire to 18 towns in Liberia, providing access to electricity for up to 130,000 persons	West African Power Pool	Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Maryland	EU	01-01-2008 to 05-12-2015
Developing a Rural Energy Strategy and Master Plan for Liberia	Support RREA, developinto a strong, independent, efficient, and sustainable organisation capable of achieving Liberia’s target of increasing access to modern energy services in the rural areas.	RREA	Monrovia, Lofa, general	EU	August 2011 to April 2016
Advancing Youth Project	Increased access to basic education, skills training for out-of-school youth, solar installations in 142 public schools	EDC	Montserrado, Margibi Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Bassa	USAID	2011-2016
More about LESSP	Capacity building, four pilot projects electrifying rural communities with renewable energies (biomass, hydro, solar)	Winrock International received	Lofa, Nimba, Bong	USAID	2010-2014

 

Further Information

• www.renewables-liberia.info
• http://databank.worldbank.org
• www.energyandsecurity.com/liberia.html
• www.energyandsecurity.com/usaidandwinrockinterna.html
• http://www.se4all.org/sites/default/files/LIBERIA_AA_EN_Released_0.pdf
• http://mtcoffeeliberia.com/
• http://liberiaruralenergy.org.  
  
• Policy Brief from USAID on Liberia (2015)
• Min-Term Evaluation of the Liberian Energy Sector Support Program, USAIN(2013)

Options for the Development of Liberia’s Energy Sector (2012)

• USAID Power Africa: Liberia Factsheet

References

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