August 15, 2022 – The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the European Union (EU) will commission the new electricity substation in Congo Town, which will enable the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to meet the growing demand for electricity. electricity in Monrovia during a ceremony on Tuesday, August 16 at 10 a.m., at the LEC Congo Town substation on the Old Road.
According to a joint press release from all stakeholders, the ceremony will host the presentation of “Certificates of Recognition » and the “Ribbon cutting of the new 66/22kV 40MW Congo Town substation » accompanied by several cultural performances, including high-level addresses by the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
The electrical infrastructure works carried out across Monrovia are known as “Light Up Monrovia” Project. It is implemented under the “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution” project, funded by the European Union (EU) within the framework of the 11e European Development Fund (EDF) with a total budget of 48.1 million euros ($51.3 million).
The statement said the Light Up Monrovia (LUM) project is being implemented by MBH Power Limited, Intec-Gopa and the LEC as thousands of homes and businesses in and around Monrovia now enjoy a safe environment. , accessible and cost-effective electricity supply from the national grid.
With the construction of the new Congo Town substation on the old road and the extension of three additional substations around Monrovia, the LEC now provides electricity to approximately forty-one thousand (41,000) households .
In addition, more than 70 communities in Central Monrovia, Sinkor, Congo Town, Paynesville and outside Monrovia are currently benefiting from LEC’s improved power supply generated by the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Power Station with increased capacity and l use of cost-effective means.
The statement said that under the project, two thousand five hundred and ten (2,510) streetlights were installed in communities in the Greater Monrovia region for the safety and security of citizens.
In addition, under the project, more than 40 interns and young engineers have been recruited from the engineering departments of universities in Monrovia. The trainees were deployed to several construction sites and received practical training in electrical, civil and general safety, and received toolkits to improve the technical and professional management capacities of the sector’s human resources.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Ambassador Laurent Delahousse says the EU is proud to fund a project that will improve the livelihoods of Liberians. He stated: “In the global village, there can be no substantial development without electricity. Light is life. I am proud and happy that the citizens of the European Union have contributed to this great project to improve the livelihoods of many Liberians. Let’s light up to live”.
For his part, Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, who is also the National Authorizing Officer said: “I would like to thank the EU for being a true partner in Liberia’s development. The help the EU gives us in the energy sector to provide our citizens and businesses with access to affordable electricity is very valuable and essential. Electricity is crucial for our industries and our commercial customers such as manufacturers and traders. With this improvement to our energy infrastructure, we hope to stimulate economic growth and create more jobs.
I would also like to thank the technical teams, MBH Power Limited, Intec Gopa, LEC, and the other partners involved for their excellent collaboration, necessary for the success of the project. Today’s commissioning of the Congo Town substation demonstrates a significant effort towards our government’s commitment to electrify Monrovia, its surroundings and the entire country.
Background:
The “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmissions and Distribution Project” is funded under the 11e European Development Fund (EDF) and has a duration of 24 months. A similar project was implemented as part of the 9e EDF for the electrical networks. Under both programs, the EU has allocated and invested substantially in the energy sector with a total budget of around €100 million in Liberia.
In 2018, the Liberian government signed a “transmission and distribution” contract with the European Union Delegation to Liberia, MBH Power Limited and Intec-Gopa to design and build 66 KV on the main lines and the extension of the existing 66/22/10 KV power supply. this will help Monrovia absorb more electricity from Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Station to transmit to substations in Bushrod Island, New Kru Town, Capitol Hill, Congo Town and Paynesville.
In collaboration with the EU, the National Authorization Bureau (BAN) unit of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning oversees the project to manage, coordinate, program and supervise EU-funded projects in Liberia.
The 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 development aid to African, Caribbean, Pacific and overseas countries and territories. . The EDF finances cooperation activities in the areas of economic development, social and human development, regional cooperation and integration.
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