Liberia is in discussions with Genser Energy for a greenfield, 270MW gas-fired power plant. New capacity is sorely needed for Liberia’s grid which, despite imports from Côte d’Ivoire via the Transco CLSG line, still faces severe load shedding, particularly in the dry season.
The project aims to significantly reduce Liberia’s energy deficit, improve grid stability, and support economic growth by providing affordable and reliable electricity to households, businesses, and industries across the country, the Liberia Electricity Corporation said in a recent statement.
The company is accelerating efforts to scaling up power generation in Liberia to meet growing demand and ensure long-term energy sustainability. The addition of 370MW through these projects will not only enhance reliability but also support industrialization and economic expansion, it said.
The country has committed to the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy by 2030. However, the current trajectory suggests that this objective will remain elusive unless Liberia embarks on a bold reform agenda, the World Bank said in a 2024 report.
“Liberia’s energy sector is simply not keeping pace with the country’s development aspirations. Persistent power supply deficits, operational inefficiencies, and limited private investment are all conspiring to undermine the country’s path to prosperity.”
The data paints a stark picture. While overall access to electricity has improved from less than 10% a decade ago to 30% today, this progress has been uneven. Urban areas have seen a surge in electrification, with access reaching 50%. In contrast, rural communities continue to lag, with only 8% of the population connected to the grid.
