Liberia's energy sector faces a defining moment with LEC's ambitious announcement to add 370MW of power generation capacity. While this plan appears transformative on paper, a closer examination reveals several concerns that doubt its feasibility and long-term sustainability.
The heavy reliance on thermal and natural gas power in these projects raises serious questions about Liberia's commitment to sustainable energy. This approach may lock the country into fossil fuel dependency, contradicting global trends towards renewable energy and potentially leaving Liberia with stranded assets in the future[1].
The aggressive 13-month timeline for deploying 270MW of natural gas/thermal power is particularly concerning. This timeline seems unrealistic given Liberia's historical challenges with large-scale infrastructure projects and LEC's mixed track record. Despite progress, the World Bank report highlights that Liberia still faces significant power shortages, calling for substantial investments to achieve reliable energy access[4].
TBEA, the company mentioned in the MoU, has a history of unfulfilled promises in Liberia. Their failure to deliver on previous commitments in 2018 casts significant doubt on their ability to execute this new project successfully. This lack of a proven track record in the country adds another layer of uncertainty to the project's viability.
LEC's financial situation is also a primary concern. The utility has been operating at a loss and has significant debt. Between 2015 and 2021, LEC lost $271.9 million due to unpaid bills, commercial losses, and technical losses[4]. These financial challenges raise serious questions about LEC's ability to manage and sustain such a large-scale expansion.
The timing of this announcement is particularly suspect, coming shortly after a significant power reduction from Côte d'Ivoire that has left much of the country in darkness. This suggests that the new LEC administration may use this grandiose plan as a smokescreen to distract from current power woes and reduce public backlash. While addressing long-term energy needs is crucial, it should not come at the expense of addressing immediate challenges.
Though Liberia desperately needs to expand its power generation capacity, this announcement raises more questions than answers. The project's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, ambitious timeline, LEC's financial challenges, TBEA's history of non-delivery, and suspicious timing all contribute to skepticism about its feasibility and long-term benefits for Liberia's energy sector. LEC may use this announcement as a public relations tactic rather than presenting a realistic solution to Liberia's pressing energy needs[7].
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References
[2] https://www.pvknowhow.com/construction-of-20-mw-utility-scale-solar-plant/
[3] https://thenewdawnliberia.com/lec-cemenco-sign-mou-to-improve-development/
[4] LEC Announces 370MW in Sight: Hope or Another False Start?https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/m300_aes_compact_liberia-27012025.pdf.LEC Announces 370MW in Sight: Hope or Another False Start?
[5] https://www.lerc.gov.lr/others.php?7d5f44532cbfc489b8db9e12e44eb820=NzEy
[6] https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2025/02/06/powering-africa-the-transformational-impact-of-regional-energy-projects-in-west-africa
[7] https://lecliberia.com/news-releases/lec-assures-the-public-of-ongoing-efforts-to-improve-power-supply/
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