By Myean D Torgbean
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has announced that the country’s first-ever utility-scale solar farm will be commissioned in November 2025, a project expected to add 20 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and expand access to power across the country.
The facility, located in Harrisburg, Montserrado County, was launched in October 2024 when President Joseph Boakai broke ground on what is now considered a landmark step in addressing Liberia’s chronic power shortages, particularly during the dry season when hydropower production declines.
The solar initiative is part of the government’s commitment under the National Energy Compact to connect 100,000 households annually and increase electricity access to 75 percent of the population, up from the current 32.7 percent. The compact was presented earlier this year by Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Nganfua at the African Energy Summit in Tanzania.
Speaking recently on a local radio program, LEC Communications Director Philip Faley confirmed that construction is on track, with steel structures and solar panels already being installed. He described the project as a “breakthrough” that will deliver reliable power to rural communities and end years of energy scarcity in remote areas.
“This is a testament that Liberia is transitioning to clean energy sources that will not only expand supply but also reduce gas emissions,” Faley said, noting that the farm represents Liberia’s alignment with global climate goals.
Once operational, the solar farm is expected to bring significant relief to households in Montserrado and other counties, particularly during the sweltering dry season when electricity demand rises.
Mount Coffee Hydro Repairs Underway
In addition to the solar project, LEC has begun repair works on one of the four turbines at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, which has been out of service since 2021. The damaged turbine, Unit 1, reduced the plant’s capacity from 88 megawatts to 66 megawatts when its winding stator failed.
Faley disclosed that the repair contract was awarded to Sano Hydro in June this year, and work is progressing steadily. He expressed confidence that the turbine will be fully restored within the next 10 to 11 months, bringing the plant back to full capacity.
“These two initiatives the solar farm and the Mount Coffee repair are part of LEC’s broader efforts to strengthen electricity supply in Monrovia and across the country,” Faley said.
