Liberia, EU Partner on Solar-Hydro

Key Figures & Findings: The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the European Union (EU), has launched a multi-pronged electrification initiative under the “Light Up South-East Liberia” (LUSE) program. Funded through the EU’s 11th European Development Fund and supervised by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the project targets historically underserved regions—Greenville, Buchanan, and Barclayville—with a mix of solar and hydro technologies. Major implementation partners include MBH Power, Constar-RCG France, and TCC-ASACO, with oversight from Liberia’s Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA). The project supports the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy and Liberia’s AAID-ARREST development agenda focused on inclusive infrastructure growth.

Statistics & Insights: The LUSE program includes a 2MW mini-hydro plant on the Sinoe River, new solar fields in Sinoe and Grand Kru counties, and multiple Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substations in Greenville and Buchanan. Infrastructure deployment spans over 24 truckloads of monopoles, with site preparations already active as of June 2025.

Future Implications: If delivered on schedule, the electrification project could bring reliable power to tens of thousands across Liberia’s southeast by 2027. This would mark a major shift in reducing energy poverty while enabling healthcare access, youth inclusion, and economic activity in remote cities.

Source: AllAfrica