Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia, and the European Union (EU), have officially broken ground for the construction of two 33-kilovolt distribution networks and customer connections in the cities of Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville.
The project aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity to underserved communities in these areas.
The ceremony, held at the Transco/CLSG substation in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Friday, May 3, brought together community members, government officials, and dignitaries from both the EU and other international partners. The being is being headed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP)
The landmark project, valued at approximately €42 million (US$45 million), intends to construct two separate 33kV electricity generation and distribution networks in Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville cities. It is expected to benefit over 16,000 households in the three counties.
The project, funded by the European Union’s ‘Rural Electrification Programme’, focuses on the southeastern region of Liberia. It aims to deliver reliable and affordable electricity while stimulating socio-economic development and improving the living standards of the rural population in Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville.
It will be implemented by MBH power, RDEA, and COLENCO with an estimated duration for completion at 28 months (February 2027) thus stimulating socio-economic development and improving the living standard of the rural populations in Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, EU Head of Delegation to Liberia, Nona Deprez, highlighted the EU’s commitment to Liberia’s energy sector.
“Liberia has an amazing potential access to electricity because it is endowed with abundant renewable energy sources, mainly hydro and solar, that could effectively give light to all Liberians,” she stated. “However, the country still has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world.”
Deprez emphasized the EU’s long-standing partnership with Liberia in the energy sector, noting the success of projects such as the Light of Monrovia, which brought electricity access to 42,000 households.
She also mentioned the EU’s contribution of €10 million to the Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Program, focusing on installing new transmission lines and enhancing the energy infrastructure.
“We were just on a trip with the EU member state ambassadors to Maryland, and there I’ve seen how important the program is,” Deprez said, stressing the need for raising awareness about the efficient use of energy. “Everyone will need to get used to meters, to pay for the energy that you consume. It’s not sustainable to use a flat rate and consume as much energy as you want. It’s not good for the planet, and it’s not good for Liberia’s economic development.”
Deprez also underscored the importance of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to boost smart, clean, and secure connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors. She emphasized that the EU’s contribution was a grant, not a loan, aimed at fighting climate change and boosting Liberia’s competitiveness.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant leap forward in Liberia’s energy development journey and the EU’s commitment to assisting the Liberian government in providing reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity to its citizens.
Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence also praised the initiative, stating that the project would empower businesses and improve the electricity challenges faced by residents in the beneficiary counties.
“These projects are part of the EU Rural Electrification Programme, worth 42 million euros, which will benefit almost 50,000 people in Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville, and the total EU’s investment in Liberia’s energy sector exceeds 100 million euros,” she said.
Performing the groundbreaking ceremony on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management, Dehpue Yeanpea Zuo acknowledged the EU for the funds and said the project is a testament to the President’s vision to attract the most significant infrastructure project to the country.
According to him, the action of President Boakai to electrify the three Southeastern cities shows responsible, visionary, and selfless leadership even though he had the power to divert such a huge project to his native county.
He added that with securing and soon-to-be execution of the project, the President is also working out modalities and lobbying with other partners to ensure similar electrification projects for the Western region and the North Central region.
Giving the overview of the project earlier, the Executive Director of the Rural Renewable Energy Agency, Samuel Bocay Nagbe, disclosed that over 17,064 new homes and 1,442 businesses are expected to benefit as well as the creation of 424 full-time jobs.
He narrated that 700 street lights are expected to be installed in Buchanan and Greenville with a 33kV distribution system in Buchanan, 850kW solar power plant and 2MW Mini Hydro Power Plant in Greenville, and 200kWp Solar PV Plant in Barclay plus 2 Diesel Generators (850kVA and 225kVA).
According to him, Buchanan will have a total of 12,057 new service connections, 11,000 households, and 1,057 businesses (917 SMEs, 42 large customers, 18 large administration and community buildings).
He maintained that 500 streetlights will be installed with 119 full-time jobs created with a 65km Distribution Network of 33kV Distribution Lines from a 225kV substation in Buchanan as the estimated time for completion is 36 Months (May 2027).
For Greenville, Sinoe County, Mr. Nagbe noted that there will be a total of 5,249 new service connections with Beneficiaries of 4,980 households and 269 businesses including all public buildings and the installation of 200 streetlights.
He explained, “Full-time Job Creation is 259 from 850kW Solar Power Plant and 2MW Mini Hydro Power Plant and the Rehabilitation of feeder roads in Greenville including a backup of 850kva Diesel Generator with an estimated time of Completion at 38 Months (August 2027).”
“For Barclayville in Grand Kru, there will be a total of 5,249 new service connections with a beneficiary of 1,084 households and 116 businesses including all public buildings including the installation of 70 solar home systems will be installed also outside of Barclayville.
“A 46 full-time jobs will be created accumulating an infrastructure type of 200kWp Solar PV Plant and Mini-Grid Network with a backup: 225kVA Diesel Generator,” he added.
The CEO of MBH Power Nigeria Limited, Rakesh Mahapatra, assured the EU and the Liberian government of his company’s readiness to execute the project efficiently and effectively to electrify the three counties.
Upon completion, these projects are expected to bring lasting improvements in electricity access and socio-economic growth to the southeastern region of Liberia.
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