August 15, 2022 – The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the European Union (EU) will commission the newly constructed Congo Town electricity substation, which will enable the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to address the growing demand for electricity in Monrovia during a ceremony on Tuesday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the LEC Congo Town substation on Old Street.
According to a joint press release from all stakeholders, the ceremonial event will host the handover of “Certificates of Recognition” and “The ribbon cutting of the new 66/22 kV 40 MW substation of Congo City” accompanied by several cultural performances, including high-level speeches from the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Electricity infrastructure works carried out across Monrovia are known as “Light Up Monrovia” The project. It applies under The project “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution”, financed by the European Union (EU) under 11th European Development Fund (EDF) with a total budget of 48.1 million Euros (51.3 million USD).
The announcement noted that the Light Up Monrovia (LUM) project is being implemented by MBH Power Limited, Intec-Gopa and LEC, as thousands of homes and businesses in Monrovia and its environs are now benefiting from a safe, accessible and accessible system and cost-effective electricity supply from the National Grid.
With the construction of the new Congo City substation on Old Road and the expansion of three other substations around Monrovia, LEC is now providing electricity to approximately Forty One Thousand (41,000) households.
Additionally, more than 70 communities in Central Monrovia, Sinkor, Congo Town, Paynesville and outside Monrovia are currently benefiting from LEC’s expanded power supply created by the Mount Coffee Hydro Factory with an increased capacity and the use of cost effective tools.
The announcement indicated that, as part of the project, two thousand five hundred and ten (2,510) street lights have been installed within communities in the Greater Monrovia area for the safety and security of citizens.
Also, within the project, more than 40 internship students and young engineers were recruited from engineering departments of universities in Monrovia. The interns were placed on several construction sites and provided practical training in electrical, civil and general engineering safety, as well as provided with tools to increase the technical and professional capacities of human resource management in the sector.
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Ambassador Laurent Delahousse, says the EU is proud to be funding a project that will improve the lives of Liberians. He stated: “There can be no substantial development in Global Village without electricity. Light is Life. I am proud and happy that the people of the European Union contributed to this great project to improve the lives of many Liberians. Let’s shine to live.”
For his part, Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, who is also the National Authorizing Officer stated: “I want to thank the EU for being a true partner towards the development of Liberia. The EU’s help to us in the energy sector to ensure our people and businesses have access to affordable electricity is very valuable and essential. Electricity is essential to our industries and commercial customers such as manufacturers and traders. With this improvement in our energy infrastructure, we expect to drive economic growth and create more jobs.
I would also like to thank the technical teams, MBH Power Limited, Intec Gopa, LEC and other partners involved for their excellent cooperation which is necessary for the success of the project. Today’s commissioning of the Congo City Substation shows a significant effort towards our government’s commitment to electrify Monrovia, its environs and the entire country.”
Background:
“Monrovia Electricity Transmission and Distribution Consolidation Project” is financed by 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and has a 24-month duration. A similar project was implemented under 9th EDF for electricity networks. Under both programmes, the EU has reserved and invested significantly in the energy sector with a total budget of around €100 million in Liberia.
In 2018, the Government of Liberia signed a “Transmission and Distribution” contract together with the Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, MBH Power Limited and Intec-Gopa to design and build 66KV overhead and expand the existing 66/22/10KV power which will help Monrovia absorb more electricity from the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant to be transmitted to substations in Bushrod Island, New Kru Town, Capitol Hill, Congo Town and Paynesville.
In collaboration with the EU, the National Authorizing Office (NAO) Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning monitors the project to manage, coordinate, program and supervise EU-funded projects in Liberia.
European Development Fund:
The EU is one of the main donors in Liberia. Its concrete interventions and financial support under the EDF are carried out in various sectors, such as energy, transport, environment, health, technical and vocational education and good governance.
Created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome and launched in 1959, the EDF is the EU’s main instrument for providing development assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, as well as overseas countries and territories. EDF finances cooperation activities in economic development, social and human development, as well as regional cooperation and integration.
