Liberia Authorises 20-MW Mount Coffee Solar Park

Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has secured regulatory approval to develop and operate a 20-MW solar power plant at Mount Coffee, clearing the way for another major addition to the country’s renewable-energy capacity.

The licence was issued by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) last week, allowing the state-owned utility to build, own and operate the photovoltaic facility at Mount Coffee in Harrisburg.

LEC submitted its application for the project in March. The approval now gives the utility the regulatory clearance needed to proceed with the proposed solar development.

Solar project supports Liberia’s renewable-energy targets

The Mount Coffee project comes as Liberia seeks to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity system and expand access to power.

Under its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Liberia plans to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 64% by 2035 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The country has also set a target of obtaining 75% of its on-grid electricity generation from renewable sources and reaching a 75% national electricity access rate by 2030.

To support those goals, the NDC roadmap provides for the installation of 150 MW of new renewable-energy capacity.

The proposed 20-MW Mount Coffee solar park would account for a significant portion of that planned capacity while adding another source of generation to Liberia’s electricity system.

The project also fits into wider efforts to diversify electricity generation and reduce the sector’s reliance on conventional power sources. Expanding solar generation could give LEC additional capacity to meet rising demand while supporting the government's longer-term plans for a cleaner electricity mix.

The regulatory approval, for Liberia, marks an important step, but the project's eventual contribution to electricity supply will depend on the next stages of development, including financing, construction and commissioning.