MONROVIA: The United States Ambassador to Liberia, Mark C. Toner, has disclosed that with over US$125 million of the American government’s investment in Liberia’s energy sector, a groundwork is being laid to ensure the country’s energy future.
Ambassador Toner said, the United States is proud of the significant role it has played in rehabilitating the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, which has been a key driver of Liberia’s energy resurgence.
He made these statements on Monday, September 16, 2024, when he visited the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant (MCGPP) in Harrisburg in Montserrado County.
Ambassador Toner was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Monie Ralph Captan.
The visit was to review LEC current and planned initiatives to strengthen Liberia’s energy sector.
A release from the United States Embassy in Monrovia stated that the visit also underscored the U.S. government’s longstanding commitment to supporting Liberia’s efforts to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to the people and businesses of Liberia and reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to Liberia’s energy growth.
According to the release, the visit also highlighted the broader collaboration between the United States and Liberia in the energy sector, including joint efforts to integrate Liberia into the West African power Pool through the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea (CLSG) regional network.
The U.S Ambassador also recognized the impressive contributions made by other international partners such as the World Bank and European Union members.
During the tour, Ambassador Toner viewed a new surge protection system for MCHPP turbines, made possible through a U.S. government investment of US$1 million.
This critical enhancement will mitigate the risk of future turbine failures, ensuring continued power generation at the country’s largest energy facility.
“We are proud of the significant role that the United States has played in rehabilitating the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, which has been a key driver of Liberia’s energy resurgence,” Ambassador Toner added.
For his part, the release stated that Mr. Monie Captan, who is integral to Liberia’s progress in the energy sector and central to the success of its expansion, praised the U.S. government’s ongoing support.
“The collaboration between LEC and the U.S. government has been essential to advancing Liberia’s energy infrastructure.
The installation of surge protection equipment represents yet another milestone towards achieving our shared goal of delivering reliable electricity to all Liberians, “said Captan. Writes Linda Gbartie.
