Africa-Press – Liberia. The Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) is on the cusp of significantly boosting electricity access in Lower Lofa County, with its ambitious power generation and distribution initiative reaching nearly 99% completion on its initial phase.
The RREA announced it has almost finished installing 1.8MW diesel generators, along with essential transformers and fuel storage systems, in Bawala Village, just outside Voinjama. This marks a critical step toward establishing a robust energy network for the region.
The next phase, set to begin on July 1st, 2025, involves the installation of 4MWp Solar PV modules coupled with 9MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), also located on the outskirts of Voinjama. This hybrid approach, combining solar power and battery storage with the diesel generators, will form the backbone of Lower Lofa County’s energy supply.
“The combination of the mini solar grid and BESS with the 1.8MW diesel generators will be the main energy source for our network in Lower Lofa County,” stated an RREA spokesperson.
Extensive Distribution Network Ready
Beyond generation, the RREA has already completed the construction of an extensive distribution network. Approximately 350 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines are now in place, ready to connect over 10,000 homes in key load centers including Voinjama, Foya, Kolahun, Bolahun, and Massabolahun. The agency has also committed to connecting all communities situated between these major centers, ensuring widespread access to electricity.
Shift to Solar After Hydro Challenges
This move to a hybrid solar and diesel system represents a strategic pivot for the RREA. Earlier plans to construct a 2.3MW hydro power plant on the Kahai River in Mbaloma were abandoned due to “increased cost overruns that resulted from unforeseen design issues and Geotechnical challenges,” which made the project’s cost per megawatt ratio uncompetitive. The new 4MWp solar and 9MWh BESS installation is expected to be completed within 10 months.
Future Operations and Funding
In the coming two weeks, the RREA will begin the procurement process for an Operations and Maintenance Contractor. This contractor will serve as the primary off-taker and distributor of the power generated by the new network.
The entire project is funded under the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP), supported by a substantial $25 million grant from the World Bank and a $2 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA) provided by the Government of Liberia.
The overarching goal of this ambitious initiative is to increase access to affordable and reliable electricity for the residents of Lower Lofa County while simultaneously fostering the use of renewable energy sources.
Update on RREA’s Power Generation and Distribution Initiative in Lower Lofa County
We at the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency are very pleased to report that we are about 99% complete with the installation of our 1.8MW diesel generators and accompanying transformers and fuel storage systems in Bawala Village, on the outskirts of Voinjama, Lofa County.
The next step is the commencement of the installation of of a 4MWp Solar PV modules with 9MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), also just on the outskirts of Voinjama.
The combination of the mini solar grid and BESS with the 1.8MW diesel generators will be the main energy source for our network in Lower Lofa County.
We have already completed the construction of 350 km of medium and low voltage lines that will connect over 10,000 homes in load centers like Voinjama, Foya, Kolahun, Bolahun and Massabolahun. We are also committing to connect all communities between these major load centers.
The supply and installation of the mini solar PV modules with BESS is the alternative replacement of our earlier efforts to construct a 2.3MW hydro power plant on the Kahai River in Mbaloma, Lofa County. This decision was as a result of increased cost over runs that resulted from unforseen design issues and Geotechnical challenges that made the cost per MW ratio ration uncompetitive.
The supply and installation of the 4MWp with 9MWh BESS will be completed in 10 months beginning July 1st, 2025.
In the next two weeks, we will begin the process to procure the services of a Operations and Maintenance Contractor that will be the main offtaker and distributor of the power that will be generated by our network.
The project is funded under the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) through a $25M grant from the World Bank and a $2M loan from the International Development Association (IDA) by the Government of Liberia.
The overarching goal of the project is to increase access to affordable and reliable energy access to electricity and foster the use of renewable energy sources.
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