Liberia to benefits first solar farm & Mount Coffee expansion value at US$ 96M
Monrovia-The government of Liberia with funding from the World Bank, West Regional is expected to construct Liberia first about solar farm and expand the Mount Coffee Hydrowpower Plan from 88mw to 126mw.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with knewsonline reporter Saturday, March 23, 2024 following the climaxed assertmnet touring of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plan dam and location for the country first solar farm by the World Bank delegation, Mr. Philip Firley, Corporate Communication Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation said that the amount projected for the both project is at US$96m.
‘’ The Mount Coffee expansion project is US$ 96M and it goes for both the expansion of the Mount Coffee and the Solar Energy farm Project. Couple of the funding goes to the Mount Coffee from 88mw to 126mw. And the Solar Farm when constructed will produce 20mw while the St. Paul hydropower dam (SP2) will produce about 200 -250mw.’’ He stated.
According to him, the blueprint and the design for the construction of Liberia first solar farm has commence, and anytime soon the project will kickstarts, adding that the Mount Coffee expansion and the Solar farm project will situated at the same site.
‘’ you were there and you saw that the World Bank through it delegation has commence the fevebiliy studies, having clear with our CEO on the implementation and further studies as well regarding the project. With the touring of the facilioty and identification of location for the farm, technically it means works and studies has started’’ Mr. Firley pointed out.
He adds that the ssectmnet will feed into the blueprint which will finalized the work of the solar plant and the expansion of the Mount Coffee and the blueprint for SP2.
Mr. fairley pointed out that currently LEC has an energy demand of four hundred mager wise and technicaly if 126mw and the expansion project of Mount Coffee is completed with the 20mw Solar farm project, and in addition to the 250mw of SP2 Liberia will at that time be enjoying sustainable electricity across the country.
He adds that it’s their anticipation that all of those project will be successful, while urging Liberian to be patient and kind on grounds that they are working to address age-old problem.
A high power delegation from the World Bank West Region office, Ministry of Mine and Energy over the weekend visited the Liberia Electricity Corporation Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant.
The objective of the delegation visit to the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant is to gathering first hand information and assessment on the exact location for the construction of the Solar Farm and the expansion of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant.
Franz Drees-Gross, a US and German national, serves as Director of Infrastructure in the World Bank’s Africa West region headed the team while Mr. Monies Captain, Executive Director of LEC headed the PIU and the Ministry of Mines and Energy represented the government of Liberia and Mr. Bill Harkins, Project Manager and Mr. William Thompson, Project Engagement Consultant.
The objective of the delegation was to see the exact location of the project and have joint inhouse engagement and brief on the construction of the Solar Farm and the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant expansion.
The joint assessment was in consonant with President Boakai first Energy Sector Round Table at the Executive Mansion along with key stakeholders in the sector, where he gave 100% support to the project.
This interaction with the LEC management and visitation of the site couple with the technical brief of the project is part of the initiative feceiablity studies which indicate that work has already commence.
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Daniel Theo Cole
Daniel Theophilus Cole is a Senior Reporter at Kool 91.9 FM/TV/Knewsonline.
Cole has a keen interest in Human Interest, Political, Economy, and Agricultural Stories.
His passion for journalism extends beyond self-interest.
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