By Stephanie M. Duncan
MONROVIA – Liberia’s national grid is taking incremental drive in light of the commissioning of a 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Complex.
It is seen as a major step toward expanding renewable energy production with, to boost electricity supply and strengthen the country’s energy security.
The solar facility, officially dedicated on Friday in the presence of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., is the first utility-scale solar farm connected to Liberia’s national grid and forms part of ongoing efforts to increase access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Speaking during the dedication ceremony, Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, Mohamed M. Sherif, described the project as a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.
Sherif said the addition of 20 megawatts of solar power will complement hydropower generation at Mount Coffee and help address electricity demand, particularly during the dry season when water levels often affect hydroelectric production.
In another major announcement, Sherif disclosed that the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant has been fully rehabilitated and restored to its maximum generating capacity of 88 megawatts.
“Mr. President, Mount Coffee has been fully rehabilitated and is now back in service. With this achievement, Mount Coffee has been restored to its full generating capacity of 88 megawatts,” he said.
The combination of the newly commissioned solar facility and the restored hydropower plant is expected to significantly improve electricity generation and grid reliability across Liberia.
Government officials say the project reflects Liberia’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources while expanding renewable power generation to meet the needs of homes, businesses, and industries.
The commissioning of the solar farm comes as the Boakai administration intensifies efforts to improve energy infrastructure and increase electricity access nationwide. Energy experts believe the project will reduce pressure on existing generation facilities and help create a more resilient and sustainable power system.
With the addition of 20 megawatts of solar energy and the full restoration of Mount Coffee’s 88-megawatt capacity, Liberia has substantially increased its ability to deliver power to consumers and support economic growth.
Meanwhile, President Boakai has welcomed the successful restoration of a damaged turbine at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, a development that has returned Liberia’s largest hydroelectric facility to its full generating capacity of 88 megawatts.
The announcement was made during the commissioning of a 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Complex on Friday, June 5, 2026.
President Boakai described the rehabilitation as a major achievement for Liberia’s energy sector, noting that the restored turbine will significantly strengthen the country’s electricity generation capacity and improve the reliability of power supply to homes, businesses, and public institutions.
The turbine was damaged in 2021, resulting in the loss of approximately 22 megawatts of power generation and reducing the plant’s overall output. Following extensive repair and rehabilitation work, engineers successfully restored the unit, allowing the facility to resume full operations.
“With the hydropower plant once again operating at its full installed capacity, Liberia is better positioned to meet growing electricity demands and support national development,” the President said.
Boakai noted that the successful restoration reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining critical national infrastructure and ensuring that key public assets continue to serve the Liberian people effectively.
The President also highlighted the significance of the newly commissioned solar facility, which adds 20 megawatts of renewable energy to the national grid. Combined with the restored hydropower capacity, the project is expected to improve energy security, increase electricity access, and advance Liberia’s transition toward cleaner energy sources.
The Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant remains a cornerstone of Liberia’s electricity network, supplying power to thousands of households and businesses across the country.
President Boakai commended the Liberia Electricity Corporation, development partners, engineers, and technicians whose efforts made the turbine restoration possible, describing their work as an important contribution to the modernization and expansion of Liberia’s energy infrastructure.
The restoration of the turbine and the addition of solar power generation mark a significant step in the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s energy sector and improve access to affordable and reliable electricity for all Liberians.
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