By: Julius Konton
Liberia has taken a bold step toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future with the signing of a landmark agreement for the construction of a 23.75 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant and 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage at the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s (LEC) Shefflin site in Margibi County.
The deal, sealed on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., brings together the Liberian government, Scatec Release, and key international partners in a strategic public-private collaboration aimed at accelerating access to reliable electricity in Liberia.
The project, slated for completion in 64 weeks, will significantly enhance LEC’s power generation capacity paving the way for improved economic development, energy independence, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan hailed the agreement as a milestone under President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
“On behalf of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and the Government and people of Liberia, I extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Scatec Release, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), IFC, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy for making this milestone possible,” Ngafuan said.
He emphasized that energy access is not just a technical issue but a catalyst for transformation:
“With projects like this solar and battery storage initiative, we are helping businesses not just survive but thrive. Lights are being turned on in Rivercess, Grand Kru, and other counties that have gone without electricity for decades”, he re-emphasized.
Ngafuan reaffirmed Liberia’s ambitious goal of achieving 75% electricity access by 2030, under the Liberia Energy Compact developed with the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and other partners.
LEC Managing Director Mohammed M. Sherif called the agreement “a defining step in Liberia’s pursuit of energy sovereignty.”
“This is not merely about adding megawatts to the grid. We are illuminating homes, powering industries, and fueling Liberia’s next chapter of inclusive growth,” Sherif stated”, the LEC boss said.
He noted that the solar plant will be delivered through a lease-to-own model, allowing LEC to expand capacity without large upfront investment, while eventually ensuring local ownership.
Sherif also linked the project to the LEC Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which focuses on financial sustainability, operational excellence, customer service, governance, and digital transformation.
Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Scatec reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Liberia’s energy development:
“Today marks a very important step for Liberia’s energy sector. We remain committed to supporting clean, reliable, and scalable energy solutions for the country’s future”, he maintained.
The event was attended by senior officials, including Minister of Mines and Energy Wilmot J.M. Paye, Minister of Public Works Roland Lafayette Giddings, and Deputy Education Minister Nyekeh Forkpa, highlighting the government’s whole-of-sector approach to infrastructure development.
As global pressure mounts to transition from fossil fuels, Liberia is positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy among developing nations.
This latest solar power project signals a new era, one where public and private sectors work together to expand access, boost economic opportunity, and ensure energy for all Liberians.
