Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has called for stronger international partnerships and increased investment to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy and expand electricity access nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of Liberia at an international energy forum, Minister Tingban said the government is committed to transforming lives through the Mission 300 Energy Compact, an ambitious initiative aimed at increasing reliable electricity access to 75 percent of Liberia’s population by 2030.
Addressing delegates, the Minister described energy as a catalyst for national development, emphasizing that electricity powers education, healthcare, economic growth, and improved livelihoods.
He reported that Liberia has expanded electricity access to 38 percent of its population, supported by an installed generation capacity of 146 megawatts, primarily from hydropower and a growing solar energy sector.
According to Minister Tingban, the country has already achieved nearly 80 percent of its first-year electricity connection target, bringing power to hundreds of thousands of Liberians.
Despite these achievements, he acknowledged that Liberia continues to face significant challenges because of its heavy dependence on hydropower, which is affected by seasonal rainfall.
During the dry season, the national grid experiences an estimated 72-megawatt electricity deficit, a challenge the government intends to address through expanded renewable energy investments.
To bridge the gap, Minister Tingban outlined plans to increase solar generation combined with battery storage systems, expand the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, and strengthen regional electricity interconnections through additional hydropower imports.
He further disclosed that Liberia has identified opportunities to develop more than 1,000 megawatts of additional renewable energy through new hydropower and solar projects stretching from Grand Cape Mount County to the Saint John River.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to rural electrification through renewable mini-grids and standalone solar systems, saying communities that have never had electricity will be prioritized.
In addition, he announced that Liberia is preparing to implement its first National Clean Cooking Strategy, with a target of reaching 200,000 households by 2030 through cleaner cooking technologies aimed at reducing indoor air pollution and improving public health.
While reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to sustainable energy development, Minister Tingban stressed that achieving the country’s ambitious targets will require significant financial support.
He appealed to development partners, international financial institutions, and private investors to provide concessional financing, blended investment, and strategic partnerships to help bridge Liberia’s estimated US$1.25 billion financing gap under the Mission 300 initiative.
Concluding his address, Minister Tingban reaffirmed Liberia’s determination to expand clean energy access, stating that every additional megawatt generated represents another Liberian community gaining access to electricity and new opportunities for development.
