By Grace Q. Bryant
The Interim Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Thomas Z. Gonkerwon, has reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to addressing critical energy supply challenges, improving infrastructure, and enhancing operational efficiency.
This announcement was made during a press conference marking 42 days since Gonkerwon assumed leadership of the corporation.
The interim management has initiated a comprehensive review of LEC’s operational processes, governance, and financial systems.
This review focuses on improving financial management, optimizing business workflows, and reinforcing transparency and accountability.
A key initiative is the establishment of a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) framework, designed to align governance objectives and ensure strong risk management practices.
As part of the effort to enhance financial oversight, the director has requested an audit by the Internal Audit Agency to assess LEC’s financial systems and processes.
He emphasized that the audit would ensure adherence to best financial practices and enhance the credibility of the organization’s commercial activities.
Gonkerwon also highlighted three major operational challenges: inadequate energy supply, network capacity constraints, and revenue protection.
These issues have been compounded by the rapid growth in electricity demand, which has surged from a base load of 57 megawatts to 86 megawatts by January 2025.
Peak load demands have also risen to over 170 megawatts.
To address these challenges, LEC is focusing on optimizing its infrastructure, including expanding transmission and distribution systems.
The corporation has launched the “APT initiative,” which has already made significant strides in reducing commercial losses from 41.3% in 2022 to 27% in 2024.
This initiative is now being institutionalized to further improve revenue generation and operational efficiency.
LEC is also preparing for the dry season, which typically reduces hydroelectric power generation due to lower water levels. To mitigate this, the corporation has secured agreements to enhance its operational capacity and ensure a stable energy supply during this critical period.
In terms of infrastructure, the interim management is overseeing major projects, including the repair of a turbine at the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Plant and the construction of a 20-megawatt solar power plant.
The solar plant, expected to be completed by October 2025, will be Liberia’s first significant step toward sustainable, renewable energy generation.
Additionally, the government has prioritized a large-scale hydroelectric project upstream of the Singapore River, expected to generate between 150 and 300 megawatts of power.
Estimated to cost between US$600 million and US$700 million, this project will receive significant support from the World Bank.
LEC is also revising its tariff structure. While the proposed tariff adjustments for 2025 were initially withdrawn for further review, the corporation remains committed to ensuring that any changes to tariffs are transparent, fair, and in the best interest of both the corporation and its customers.
On December 31, 2024, a revised tariff proposal was submitted for the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. The aim is to enable LEC to recover operational costs while providing a reasonable return on investments. However, the proposal was withdrawn for further revisions and will be resubmitted for regulatory review. The interim management team assures the public of its commitment to maintaining transparency throughout the process.
Moreover, provisions are being made to secure an additional 20 megawatts of energy supply to meet the growing demand.
The LEC emphasizes that, during the execution of this agreement, minor adjustments may occur due to unforeseen technical challenges in energy generation, which are beyond the LEC’s control.
Recently, LEC received an emergency adjustment notice from its energy partner, CIU, regarding technical difficulties that led to electricity outages in some parts of Bomi County. The technical team is actively working to resolve the issue, and updates will be provided to the public.
As part of efforts to improve energy infrastructure, LEC is working on the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Plant.
Currently, three of the four turbines are operational, with one turbine temporarily out of service due to insulation failure.
A financing package of US$5.5 million has been secured through the World Bank to address the repair work.
He stressed that with peak loads reaching up to 170 megawatts as of January 2025, LEC is addressing the rising demand driven by expanded service areas, including IAEA connections, rice-growing regions, and the industrial park, as well as population growth in the service areas.
Tackling these challenges will be crucial to spurring economic development, highlighting the role of energy in fostering revenue protection and economic growth.
The Power Anti-Theft (APT) initiative, launched on November 29, 2022, has proven to be a key strategy in reducing commercial losses.
At the close of 2022, commercial losses were recorded at 41.3%, but through sustained efforts, this figure dropped to 27% in 2024, representing a 33% reduction over the period.
Moving forward, LEC is committed to further reducing commercial losses to enhance financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
Building on the success of the APT initiative, the interim management team is working to institutionalize this approach.
This will involve decentralizing operations, enhancing accountability, and improving the commission line to Buchanan (132 kV), while also constructing a transitional subsidy network to support investments in collaboration with stakeholders.
In preparation for the dry season, LEC is focused on mitigating the impact of reduced local energy generation.
This season, the corporation has made improvements to ensure a more stable energy supply. During the last dry season, operational capacity was supplemented by the CLS transmission line and the hydroelectric plant, resulting in a total operational capacity of 55 megawatts.
This year, total prepared capacity is 88 megawatts, including an additional 20 megawatts secured through agreements.
The interim management team has also expressed its gratitude to the government, international partners, and the public for their ongoing support.
With these strategic initiatives, LEC is committed to delivering more reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity, ensuring energy security and supporting Liberia’s national development goals.
The repair works on the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Plant has been awarded to Sino Hydro Corporation Limited, with work scheduled to begin in March 2025.
The repair, expected to take one year, will increase the plant’s capacity to 88 megawatts.
The construction of a 20-megawatt solar power plant is underway at Mount Coffee, with completion expected by October 2025. LEC is also exploring the possibility of expanding this to 30 megawatts with a US$16 million World Bank-financed project, marking Liberia’s first large-scale solar power installation.
The expansion of Mount Coffee’s capacity, which includes the addition of two new turbines, has been approved with $62 million allocated from World Bank funding. This expansion will boost Liberia’s energy infrastructure by 50%, increasing national power generation capacity.
The government has prioritized a 100-megawatt dam project, located upstream of the Singapore River in Bong County.
This project, still in the feasibility study phase, aims to generate between 150 and 300 megawatts of power and is expected to cost $600 million to $700 million. The World Bank has committed to financing 50% of the project.
Once fully implemented, these initiatives will increase LEC’s installed capacity from 126 megawatts to 412 megawatts, significantly enhancing Liberia’s energy sovereignty. These projects are expected to be completed in three to five years, underscoring the importance of timely intervention.
LEC will collaborate with the National Reconstruction Commission (NRC), the Liberia Electricity Regulation Commission (LERC), and other stakeholders, with private sector participation playing a key role in the realization of these projects.
“We express our sincere gratitude to all stakeholders for their time, attention, and continued support,” he said.
The LEC remains committed to providing sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity, and through the efforts of the government, international partners, and local communities, we are confident that Liberia will achieve a brighter, energy-secured future.
