Gov't Highlights LEC Challenges and Energy Expansion Plans

Capitol Hill Monrovia Liberia: The government, through the Ministry of Information, has outlined challenges facing the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
                       By: Rancy Zomiea

Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Jerelinmah Piah, stated that LEC’s energy supply is insufficient, generating only 176 MW against a national demand of 400 MW. This includes 88 MW from the hydro plant, 50 MW from the CLSG program, and 38 MW from Bushrod Island, leading to widespread power outages.

He noted that power theft, which accounted for 65% of total energy loss in 2022/2023, has been reduced to 29%. Piah also highlighted the need to upgrade the country’s transmission lines from 66KV to 132KV and construct two new substations.

Additionally, LEC has secured World Bank funding to increase hydro capacity from 88 MW to 148 MW. The government is also building a 20 MW solar farm, expected to be completed by October.