Africa-Press – Liberia. The country’s only cement manufacturing and distribution company, the Liberia Cement Corporation (CEMENCO), has finally and formally been connected to the grid of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
CEMENCO is said to be the biggest customer of LEC amongst many customers.
The commissioning program of the LEC connection to the CEMENCO Factory in Mamba Point was held on Wednesday 5th June 2024.
CEMENCO has been connected to an approximately 1 km circuit — 22kV medium voltage line which emanates from the 2 x 10 MVA Stockton Creek substation and terminates at the CEMENCO’s 7.5MVA transformer station.
Accordingly, the discussion of the national grid between the two entities began in December 2022, and in January 2023 a team of engineers from the Liberia Electricity Corporation carried out a technical assessment to establish the technical and financial requirements to connect the CEMENCO to LEC’s grid.
By March 2023, the Liberia Electricity Corporation had finalized the design of a dedicated circuit for the connection of Liberia Cement Corporation to the LEC grid. Works on this line commenced in May 2023 and the commissioning of the works was done on April 19, 2024, with the energization of CEMENCO’s transformer.
“Today marks the formal commissioning of the LEC connection to the CEMENCO Factory and CEMENCO which may be the largest entity and will be joining the US Embassy, One UN Plaza, the UCI, and others are already on the LEC’s grid,” said Monie Captan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LEC.
“Hopefully, the Robert International Airport will also join soon.”
Also, Mr. Captan announced the initiation of a solar plant for the national grid to address the sustainability of energy during the dry season while the hydro will adequately and continuously tackle sustainable energy during the rainy season.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LEC, Monie Captan signed on behalf of LEC while CEMENCO Managing Director William Gaignard signed on behalf of CEMENCO.
CEMENCO Managing Director Gaignard thanked the LEC for the connection and described it as a milestone achievement.
“From May 1, this partnership took effect, concretizing long months of hard work and cooperation between our two entities. This serious and ambitious agreement is the fruit of our joint efforts to promote and strengthen the local electricity network,” the LEC boss noted.
“Thanks to this connection to the local network, LEC will not only be able to increase its investment capacities, but also allow Cemenco to reduce its dependence on generators.
Gaignard added: “This progress is crucial to improving the reliability of our electricity supply, an essential factor for the economic and social development of our country. In addition, Cemenco will be able to benefit from renewable electricity, which is essential in our approach to reducing CO2 emissions.
He furthered: “It is undeniable that this agreement goes beyond the simple supply of electricity. It also represents an exceptional opportunity for exchanges between our two companies. CEMENCO, as a priority partner, must play a key role in obtaining the supply of cement and ready-mixed concrete for all LEC projects, with qualitative and quantitative offers but also with the best financial solutions. This strategic collaboration will strengthen our infrastructure and development and support the growth of our economy.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Madam Tanneh Brunson, Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, hailed the LEC for being proactive and also praised CEMENCO for taking the opportunity to be connected and urged other institutions to take advantage.
The Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Community Services of the Ministry of Public Works, Madam Jocelia Taplah, also thanked CEMENCO in Liberia, which was established in 1948. Madam Taplah also thanked the LEC for providing the opportunity for services and pledged the support of the Public Works Ministry.
The Cluster Head of Heidelberg Cement, Mr. Huber Frank, also hailed the connection to the LEC’s grid. Cemenco is part of the
Heidelberg Cement Group, a world leader in cement production, as of 1968.
Liberia Cement Corporation (Cemenco) operates in the capital Monrovia. The company is the main supplier in the country. The engagement dates back to 1968.
The Minister of Lands and Mines, Wilmot Paye, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Monie Captan and the LEC family and pledged the Ministry’s support.
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