MONROVIA – Liberia is making strides toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future. On Thursday, Paschal Donohoe of the World Bank Group visited the Mount Coffee Hydropower Facility to review ongoing repairs and the nation’s first utility-scale 20MW solar farm. The project promises to boost electricity supply, strengthen the national grid, and bring tangible benefits to communities across rural communities. The Analyst Reports.
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) on last Thursday hosted Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Facility. The visit offered a firsthand look at ongoing rehabilitation works on Turbine-Unit #1 and Liberia’s first utility-scale solar farm, a 20-megawatt (MW) project undergoing testing and final commissioning before connecting to the national grid.
The solar facility, hailed as a landmark in Liberia’s energy sector, is expected to deliver clean and sustainable power that complements existing hydropower and thermal generation. Officials said the project will strengthen grid reliability, improve energy access, and reduce the country’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Mr. Donohoe was joined by a high-level delegation including Georgia Wallen; representatives from the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation; European Union officials; senior officers of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission; Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan; Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Charles Umehai; and other donor and government partners.
During an indoor program, LEC’s Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Thomas Gonkerwon, welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude for the World Bank Group’s long-standing support. He noted that World Bank financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs have been pivotal in improving LEC’s operations and delivering more reliable, customer-focused services.
The project team, led by Bill Hagins and Solar Project Manager Dominic Gono, highlighted several ongoing energy initiatives supported by the World Bank. Key projects include the planned 42MW expansion of Mount Coffee, the Turbine Unit #1 rehabilitation to restore the plant’s full 88MW capacity, the development of the 150–200MW SP2 hydropower project upstream on the St. Paul River, and plans to expand the solar farm with an additional 10MW capacity and 6MW battery storage. They also noted ongoing improvements in dam safety at Mount Coffee, ensuring long-term reliability of the hydropower facility.
Minister Ngafuan described the visit as a “strong demonstration of partnership” and expressed Liberia’s deep appreciation to the World Bank Group for its unwavering support. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment, through his ministry, to provide the necessary facilitation and oversight to guarantee successful implementation of current and future energy projects.
Deputy Minister Umehai noted that the visit signals the World Bank Group’s confidence in Liberia’s energy reform agenda and underscores the strength of strategic partnerships between Liberia and its development partners.
Following the indoor briefing, the delegation toured key installations, including the solar farm, the hydropower powerhouse, Turbine Unit #1 rehabilitation site, and the central control room overseeing Liberia’s integrated power generation and distribution systems.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Donohoe described the visit as “highly valuable,” emphasizing that the solar farm represents the kind of public-private partnership the World Bank seeks to promote across Liberia’s energy sector. He highlighted that by helping Liberia meet its energy needs, the project not only improves electricity access but also contributes to broader economic growth. He thanked the Government of Liberia and reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to being a reliable and strategic partner in Liberia’s energy development.
The visit and assessment of the Mount Coffee solar and hydropower facilities reaffirm Liberia’s determination to diversify its energy mix, strengthen grid stability, and expand access to affordable, sustainable electricity for all citizens.