Country Manager Says “Energy Access Is At The Heart Of WBG-Liberia Partnership,” After Commissioning Of The First-Ever Solar Power Plant At The Weekend

PHOTO: Madam Georgia Wallen, World Bank Liberia Country Manager

Even before the commissioning ceremony for Liberia’s first-ever 20 megawatt solar power plant at the site of the national power grid in Mt. Coffee outside Monrovia at the weekend, the World Bank has promised the construction of another ten megawatt solar plant for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) by 2029.

“First – building on today’s commissioning – over the next year, the Bank will support expansion of the capacity of this solar plant – from 20 megawatts to 30 megawatts with battery storage. The expected commissioning of SCATEC Release supported by IFC and further development of Solar Independent Power Producers through competitive bidding will also boost energy security and help Liberia to meet dry season demand,” World Bank Liberia Country Manager, Georgia Wallen said in a statement at the ceremony.

According to Madam Wallen, “Energy access is at the heart of WBG-Liberia partnership,” which said, “aims to help Liberia build foundations for more and better jobs.  Energy is an enabler of inclusive growth, job creation, and improved.”

BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF THE WORLD BANK’S COUNTRY MANAGER’S SPEECH:

World Bank Liberia Country Manager Georgia Wallen Remarks at

Commissioning of Liberia’s First Grid-Connected Solar PV Plant

  June 5, 2026

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Liberia; Honorable Minister of Finance; Honorable Minister of Mines and Energy; Honorable members of the Cabinet, legislature, and judiciary; Honorable Managing Director of Liberia Electricity Corporation and the LEC team; Distinguished Partners, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning.  On behalf of the World Bank Group (WBG), I would like to express hearty congratulations on today’s commissioning of Liberia’s first grid-connected solar PV plant.  Accept warm congratulations also on behalf of Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with thanks for the kind invitation.

Energy access is at the heart of WBG-Liberia partnership, which aims to help Liberia build foundations for more and better jobs.  Energy is an enabler of inclusive growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods.  Today is another “win” for the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and Liberia’s National Energy Compact launched last year at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania.  The Compact’s goal to connect 100,000 households annually and to raise energy access to 75 percent by 2030 is bold and ambitious.  Achievement those goals will be transformational – unlocking opportunities for all Liberians (from businesses to essential services, to households, and individuals).   The WBG is honored to stand alongside Liberia, it’s development partners, and private investors in this journey.  Our ongoing program spans electricity generation, transmission, distribution, access, and sector reforms. 

I’d like to highlight what’s new, and what’s coming.

• First – building on today’s commissioning – over the next year, the Bank will support expansion of the capacity of this solar plant – from 20 megawatts to 30 megawatts with battery storage. The expected commissioning of SCATEC Release supported by IFC and further development of Solar Independent Power Producers through competitive bidding will also boost energy security and help Liberia to meet dry season demand.
• Second, we also look forward to the commissioning of Unit 1 of Mt. Coffee Hydro, which will add 22 MW.  And in 2029, we hope to commission an additional 42 MW of capacity at Mt Coffee, which will go a long way toward meeting Liberia’s growing demand for power.
• Third, our WBG team together with development partners is working to support the government in preparing the St. Paul 2 hydropower project.  The project has the potential to be a gamechanger for Liberia by more than doubling the country’s installed electricity capacity within six years.

Liberia’s progress is part of a broader story of energy access for millions of people in West Africa.  Financing for this solar plant is from the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE), financed in part by the IDA regional program.  With support from the RESPITE project, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, and Togo forged a partnership to build lasting, high-quality energy infrastructure.  Next week, Sierra Leone will also commission their solar plant under the same project.

• Your Excellency, RESPITE was launched in 2023 when high oil prices, provoked by conflict, were putting pressure on Liberia’s budget. Today, we face a similar world. But Liberia has an answer: instead of paying 28 cents for every unit of energy from oil generation, this plant helps Liberia to harness solar power to generate electricity at just 3 cents per unit of energy.

We remain committed to working in partnership to help lower the cost of electricity, improve reliability, and bring power to more Liberian families and businesses.  Sincere thanks to LEC MD Sherif, the LEC team, the RESPITE team, and the WBG team for tireless work, deep commitment, and tremendous resilience.  Liberia’s future is bright, and it’s getting brighter!