Amid Rising Demand, Solar Push
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is seeking to renew its five-year electricity import license in the face of increased national demand, growing solar investments, and growing public expectations for a steady power supply, putting the country’s electrical future under close regulatory examination.
The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, opened a formal public hearing to review LEC’s application, placing the state-owned utility at the center of a decision that could significantly shape the country’s energy stability and economic trajectory.
The hearing was held in accordance with Section 37(8) of the 2016 Electricity Law, which requires public participation in significant licensing decisions. LEC’s current import license, which was granted on January 19, 2021, expires on January 18, 2026. The case was docketed as LERC 0221-LR-RM01.
The LERC cautioned that if renewal is not done, Liberia may have power outages that might have an immediate impact on homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. In his presentation to the public and the regulator, Thomas Gonkerwon, Deputy Managing Director for Operations at LEC, stated that the renewal is essential to maintaining long-term energy security and national progress.
“We generate, we transmit and we distribute. Energy is the catalyst to growth. Through electricity, we make things happen, in health, in education, in commerce, in every sector,” Thomas told the Commission.
According to him, the corporation’s application is anchored in Section 61 of the 2015 Energy Law, Regulation 48 of the Electricity Licensing Regulations, and Clause 6.0 of the Importation License Terms and Conditions. Speaking, Gonkerwon contended that maintaining its import license is crucial to preventing power stability setbacks due to growing load demand and continuing infrastructure improvements.
“Our mandate is clear. We turn on the lights of people’s lives,” he stated.
A five-year plan that includes increased solar generation, the opening of a new solar power plant, improved load-demand forecasting, improvements to grid resilience, and the creation of district offices across the country was also presented by LEC’s Deputy Managing Director for Operations.
LERC Board Chairman Claude J. Katta, for his part, underlined the Commission’s dedication to openness and stakeholder participation. He said, “We are determined and committed to public participation and public input in our decision-making. We have gathered to listen to LEC and receive input from stakeholders before reaching a final determination.”
However, LERC Board Chairman confirmed that notices of the hearing were published on January 26 in accordance with statutory requirements and that written submissions will be accepted following the session. Even though LEC has several operational licenses, he explained, each license renewal must separately meet regulatory requirements for generation, transmission, distribution, trading, and import/export.
As the nation attempts to stabilize supplies, increase grid access, and include renewable energy sources, Katta stated that importing electricity continues to be a vital part of Liberia’s power mix.
Reported by: Prince Saah
