Liberia: Deputy Mines and Energy Minister Reaffirms Gov’t’s Commitment to Expanding Electricity During Buchanan Substation Visit - FrontPageAfrica

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The cross-border interconnection project (CLSG), designed to enhance electricity access across the four Mano River Union countries—Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea—was underscored during a recent visit by Deputy Energy Minister Charles Umehai to the Buchanan substation.

By Edwin G. Genoway,Jr(231458910)-edwin.genoway@frontPageafricaonline.com

This initiative is vital for fostering economic growth and development in the region.

The CLSG project encompasses the construction of a 1,357-kilometer double circuit high voltage line (225 kV) that interlinks the electrical networks of the four countries.

This network serves as a critical backbone for the MRU nations and is a priority within the West African Power Pool (WAPP) master plan.

During his assessment tour of the Buchanan and Mano substations in Grand Bassa and Cape Mount Counties, Deputy Minister Umehai expressed confidence in the potential of these facilities to significantly bolster the national power grid.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to energy efficiency as a central focus of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, stating that the Ministry of Mines and Energy is dedicated to collaborating with the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and other service providers to develop state-of-the-art transmission and distribution infrastructure.

At the Buchanan substation, Umehai and his team of engineers raised concerns regarding the involvement of Independent Power Providers (IPPs) in transporting electricity from the substations to local communities. Engineer Mohammed Sow, representing TRANSCO-Liberia—the company responsible for constructing the substations—assured that the modern technologies integrated into these facilities allow for seamless connectivity, enabling IPPs to supply power to communities effectively.

Sow clarified that as long as IPPs are authorized by the government’s energy authorities, they can connect to the grids and contribute to public electricity provision without any issues.

Each of the four substations, including Buchanan, occupies 10 acres and has a power production capacity of 40 megawatts (MW) from its 225 kV lines. In contrast, the largest facility at Mount Coffee hydro power plant produces 70 MW. Liberia receives interconnection power from its network station in Yekepa, which is then transmitted to Buchanan for distribution in Liberia as well as in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Deputy Minister Umehai reaffirmed the government’s sensitivity to the electricity needs of Liberians, assuring that practical measures are being implemented to empower the LEC to effectively deliver electricity to homes and businesses. He highlighted that ensuring sustainable and reliable electricity is critical for achieving the objectives of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), President Boakai’s development framework.

During the assessment, the Ministry urged TRANSCO to prioritize the inclusion of Liberians in its staffing, as the current technicians managing the facilities are predominantly foreign nationals. Umehai made it clear that while the government welcomes international talent, there is an urgent need for succession plans through training and mentorship programs for Liberians.

As part of an overarching strategy for quality reform in the energy sector, Umehai encouraged TRANSCO to foster collaboration between Liberian electrical engineers and their international counterparts at the substations. This visit reflects the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s energy and mining sectors, ensuring compliance with the law, and promoting greater accountability and revenue generation for the country.