World Bank Group Managing Director Paschal Donohoe tours the country’s first utility-scale solar farm at Mount Coffee, accompanied by LEC and government officials.
World Bank Group Managing Director Paschal Donohoe tours the country’s first utility-scale solar farm at Mount Coffee, accompanied by LEC and government officials.
Liberia is set to take a major step in its renewable energy journey as the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) on Thursday hosted World Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer Paschal Donohoe at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Facility, where he inspected ongoing repair works on Turbine Unit #1 and Liberia’s first utility-scale solar farm, which is in the final stages of testing and commissioning.
The 20-megawatt (MW) solar facility, once operational, will inject clean and sustainable electricity into Liberia’s national grid, complementing hydropower and thermal power generation, and strengthening energy reliability nationwide. The project marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to expand renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Mr. Donohoe was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included World Bank Country Manager Georgia Wallen, representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Union (EU), senior officials from the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), and key government figures including Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy Charles Umehai.
During an indoor briefing, LEC Deputy Managing Director for Operations Thomas Gonkerwon welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to the World Bank Group for its sustained support through financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs that have enhanced utility performance and improved customer-focused service delivery.
Providing a comprehensive overview, Bill Hagins, Project Director of LEC/RESPITE, and Dominic Gono, Solar Project Manager, highlighted key energy initiatives supported by the World Bank. These include the 42MW planned expansion of Mount Coffee, the rehabilitation of Turbine Unit #1 to restore the plant’s full installed capacity of 88MW, the development of the 150–200MW SP2 hydropower project upstream on the St. Paul River, and the expansion of the solar farm with an additional 10MW capacity and 6MW battery storage. They also noted ongoing dam safety improvements at Mount Coffee to ensure long-term operational reliability.
Minister Ngafuan lauded the visit as a strong demonstration of partnership and said the World Bank’s engagement underscores confidence in Liberia’s energy sector. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the necessary support to ensure successful implementation of ongoing and future energy projects.
Deputy Minister for Energy Charles Umehai described the visit as a clear signal of the World Bank Group’s trust in Liberia’s energy sector reform agenda and a testament to the strength of Liberia’s strategic partnerships with development institutions.
Following the briefing, the delegation toured several critical installations, including the solar farm, the hydropower powerhouse, the rehabilitation works on Turbine Unit #1, and the central control room, which integrates all generation and distribution operations at Mount Coffee.
Speaking to the press, Paschal Donohoe described the solar farm as a model project that highlights the potential of public-private partnerships in Liberia’s energy sector.
“This project will serve as an example of the type of initiative and partnership that the World Bank Group aims to support in Liberia’s power generation sector,” Donohoe said. “By helping Liberia meet its own energy needs, the project contributes directly to the country’s economic growth, driven by the strong partnership between Liberia and the World Bank Group.”
He added that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Liberia as a reliable and strategic partner, noting that initiatives like the Mount Coffee solar project are critical for expanding access to electricity, improving energy reliability, and promoting sustainable development.
The Mount Coffee solar farm is expected to become fully operational soon, marking Liberia’s first foray into large-scale utility solar energy and setting a precedent for future renewable energy investments across the country.
This milestone aligns with Liberia’s broader energy reform agenda, which includes reducing dependence on fossil fuels, strengthening national power generation, and ensuring that energy projects benefit both urban and rural communities.
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