By Festus Poquie
Liberia’s Rural Renewable Energy Agency is making strides in accelerating the country’s rural transformation through the implementation of sustainable energy solutions.
The agency is focused on generating and supplying affordable electricity to the country’s 2.5 million rural population.
According to the agency’s Executive Director Samuel Nagbe, RREA, working with partners is constructing Mimi dams and solar grids, with installation underway in some parts of the country. Currently the agency is providing subsidies to solar entrepreneurs to make renewable energy more affordable and accessible for the population.
Nagbe emphasized that the agency is working to improve Liberia’s electricity access ranking, aiming to be in reasonable reach of the 30% penetration target by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With support from international partners and donors, the agency is positioning itself to be competitive with its counterparts in the sub-region, he said.
The President of Liberia has further bolstered the agency’s efforts by issuing an executive order waiving import levies on renewable energy-related imports.
“Renewable energy is the future, and Liberia has immense potential,” Nagbe said in an exclusive interview with the Oracle News Daily.
“Economically, it provides market opportunities for solar entrepreneurs, and on the other hand, it allows citizens to have access to affordable electricity.”
The agency is also working to encourage the use of cook stoves, as the majority of the population relies on charcoal, which has a significant impact on the environment.
Lighting Rural Communities
Nagbe also provided update on various projects including the implementation of the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) in Upper Lofa County. The $27 million project, funded by the Climate Investment Fund and the World Bank, aims to increase access to electricity for 10,000 households, businesses, and public facilities.
Despite some challenges, the project has made significant progress, with 97% of the 250 km of low and medium voltage lines constructed and connections made to targeted households. The government has also decided to temporarily suspend the construction of the hydropower plant and opt for a 5.7 MW solar-powered grid as an alternative.
European Union’s ‘Rural Electrification Programs: projects focus on the South-eastern region of Liberia, these projects aim to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to underserved communities. Upon completion, the following outcomes will be realized:
- Buchanan: Approximately 12,054 customers will be connected through both single and three-phase pre-paid meters. Additionally, an estimated 825 LED streetlights will be installed to illuminate the city streets.
- Greenville: Over 4,344 households will gain electricity access, and along the 43-kilometer transmission line route, from a planned 2-megawatt mini hydropower plant on the Sinoe River Rapids to Greenville, approximately 200 LED streetlights will be installed.
For Greenville, initial electricity provision will come from an 850-kilowatt solar power plant near Greenville in Murrayville, supported by an 820 KVA backup generator.
Additionally, a 2-megawatt hydropower plant on the Sinoe River Rapids, approximately 43 kilometers from the city center, will further boost electricity generation capacity.
