Monrovia, Liberia – Under the €42 million Light Up South East (LUSE) Program, the European Union (EU) will conduct a follow-up technical mission from January 26–29, 2026, in cooperation with the Government of Liberia through the National Authorizing Office (NAO) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), and other energy-related line ministries and agencies.
The mission adheres to recommendations from an earlier inspection that found a number of implementation and compliance problems in energy infrastructure projects financed by LUSE. The follow-up mission’s goals are to verify that any noncompliance issues have been sufficiently addressed, examine recently finished and ongoing projects in accordance with contractors’ scopes, and evaluate the general state of development at all LUSE project locations.
The technical team will thoroughly examine contractor performance, distribution and transmission infrastructure, and compliance with approved final designs and execution dates throughout the operation. Issues brought up during the prior mission will receive special attention to ensure that corrective measures have been successfully carried out.
The Barclayville Solar Mini-Grid Project is still a top priority, but its advancement has been hampered by the requirement to adhere to grid code requirements in line with Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) regulations. The NAO and RREA have made resolving this issue their top priority.
They will collaborate closely with Constar Inc., the implementation contractor, to resolve any unresolved technical and financial issues pertaining to the project. In order to assist in the prompt resolution of these issues, RREA will also interact with the contractor independently.
Commenting on the mission, the European Union Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Nona Deprez, stated: “The European Union reaffirms her commitment to expanding access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity in south-eastern Liberia. The LUSE Program remains a flagship investment supporting inclusive development, economic growth, and improved service delivery in underserved regions of the country.”
Strictly technical in nature, the mission shows the EU’s and the Liberian government’s shared commitment to quality control, regulatory compliance, and the prompt delivery of energy infrastructure that promotes sustainable development in Liberia.
The Light Up South East (LUSE) Program, funded entirely by the European Union with €42 million, aims to improve south-eastern Liberia’s access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Key components of the program include:
- Buchanan, Grand Bassa County:
Construction of 117.5 km of 33/0.4kV distribution network to connect 12,054 customers, significantly improving electricity access for households, businesses, and public institutions. - Greenville, Sinoe County:
Construction of a 2MW mini-hydropower plant on the Sinoe River, complemented by the supply and installation of 850 kWp solar photovoltaic systems and 540 kVA diesel generation and distribution infrastructure, enabling 4,344 new electricity connections. - Barclayville, Grand Kru County:
Supply and installation of 200 kWp solar photovoltaic systems, 225 kVA diesel generation, and 15 km of 11/0.4kV distribution network to expand electricity access in the county.
