GOL, EU sign energy agreement

The Government of Liberia and the European Union have entered into a EUR 18.5 million (about US$21.5 million) contract with MBH Power Ltd to design and build 66 KV overhead lines and extend existing electricity substations around Monrovia (Bushrod Island, New Kru Town, Capitol Hill, Congo Town and Paynesville City) respectively.

A press release issued here says the process will allow the Monrovia electricity grid to absorb more electricity from the Mount Coffee Hydro Dam in White Plain Montserrado County, thereby making it possible for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to connect more customers to the grid.

The release discloses the contract signing ceremony took place on Thursday, 9th August, bringing together key stakeholders involved with the energy sector.

It also adds that Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning Samuel Tweah, signed for the Government of Liberia, while an executive for the MBH Power Ltd, a Nigerian company contracted to implement the project signed for the company. However, the release did not disclose name of the MBH Power Ltd executive who signed for the company.

Also attending the ceremony was European Union Ambassador to Liberia Hélène Cavé, who had previously endorsed the contract; the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Liberia Electricity Corporation, the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency and Intec Gopa, the engineering firm to supervise the project.

The release details that the new project titled: “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission Works – Lot 1”is fully funded by the European Union (EU) and that beside the EUR 18.5 million contract for engineering works, a further EUR 1.5 million will go towards supervision activities to ensure the project is completed quickly and to high standards.

In line with the Government of Liberia’s emphasis on training and technical education, the project includes an internship program that will benefit around 40 young people.

The process will close the ring of 66 kV lines from the Mt. Coffee Hydro facility and strengthen the electricity transmission network backbone in and around Monrovia, an important step towards meeting the Government of Liberia’s objective to increase access to renewable energy services and sustainable and affordable power.

A second phase of the project, also fully funded by the European Union, will connect at least 38,000 additional households to the electricity grid, the release says. Press Release