The Government of Liberia and the European Union on Tuesday, August 16, opened a newly built Power Substation in Congo Town in order to allow the LEC to handle the growing demand for electricity in Monrovia. The substation is located at LEC Congo Town Substation on the Old Road.
Remarking on the program, President George Manneh Weah praised the European Union and partners for their continued support to Liberia, especially one of Liberia’s challenged sectors, electricity. President Weah used the location to encourage all Liberians to pay light bills in order to run the company well. He praised the new Liberia management of the LEC and added that Liberians will not be spectators in their country, noting that Liberians themselves can develop their country if they are given the opportunity.
At the same time, the European Union Head of Delegation to Liberia, Ambassador Laurent Delahousse expressed joy in being part of the official commissioning of the newly re-built
Congo Town substation, which is an important part of the network to connect 41.000 households in Monrovia. He noted that it is crucial in closing the loop of electricity transmission in Monrovia in case anyone of the circuit lines has a problem.
“All the citizens of Monrovia who have been waiting to receive electricity can now steadily see their communities being legally connected to the electrical grid. But let me be clear: illegal connections to the electrical grid are unjustifiable: stealing electricity is an offense punishable by law. It also puts in danger the lives of many, with the risk of explosions and fires caused by the illegal overloading of the grid. Do you know that in some communities, LEC teams are attacked by people who steal power? It is therefore essential that Government provides more support to LEC to fight power theft.”
He noted that with the extension of the electricity grid and the need for further connections, there will also be a need for more electricians in the country. To cover this, the European Union is funding TVET schools in each of the 15 counties of Liberia which will deliver the required skills. Amb. Delahousse added that the Monrovia Consolidation project, with a budget of around 60 million US dollars, is only one of the many interventions of the European Union in the electricity sector in Liberia. The Ambassador further that the European Union is working on the Rural Electrification of the South East of Liberia, with a project of
around 50 million US dollars. According to him, the scope of this program is to extend the electricity to Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville.
The European Union believes that the expansion of the electricity sector must be affordable, and for this to become true, a solid private sector is necessary. Since a stable and well-regulated environment in the energy sector is a precondition to attracting the private sector, the European Union is also funding Technical Assistance to support the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
“Let’s not forget that the European Union financed, via the European Investment Bank, a major part of the 1350 km of the Transco-CLSG transmission power line. Linking Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, this line brings the integration of high-quality electricity networks in the region. Constant, stable, and affordable electricity supply to the people of Liberia and the entire region is of utmost importance for the quality of life and work of all citizens. Buchanan will receive electricity via this very line.”
For his part, Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, who is also the National Authorizing Officer stated thanked the EU for being a true partner in Liberia’s development. He noted that the EU assistance to Liberia in the energy sector to provide the people of Liberia and businesses with access to affordable electricity is very valuable and essential. “Electricity is crucial for our industries and commercial customers such as manufacturers and traders. With this improvement in our energy infrastructure, we expect to spur economic growth and create more jobs”.
Meanwhile, the new head of the LEC Monie R. Captan stated that the New 66/22kV 40MW Congo Town Substation electricity power infrastructure works carried out across Monrovia are known as the “Light Up Monrovia” Project. He said the work carried out is in accordance with the “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution” Project, which is supported by the EU under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and has a total budget of Euro 48.1 M (US$ 51.3 M).
Mr. Captan added that the Light Up Monrovia (LUM) project is being carried out by MBH Power Limited, Intec-Gopa, and the LEC, and thousands of residences and businesses in Monrovia and its surroundings are now taking advantage of a reliable, affordable, and accessible electricity supply from the National Grid.
“With the construction of the new Congo Town substation on the Old Road, and the extension of additional three substations around Monrovia, the LEC is now providing electricity to about 41,000 households. In addition, more than 70 communities in Central Monrovia, Sinkor, Congo Town, Paynesville, and outside of Monrovia are currently benefiting from LEC’s enhanced power supply generated by the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant with an increased capacity and use of cost-efficient means”.
Both EU and LEC noted that under the project, 2,510 streetlights have been installed within the communities of the Greater Monrovia area for the safety and security of citizens.
