(Nimba County– February 8, 2025) – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has urged all Liberians with expertise in electricity to contribute ideas and recommendations to help solve the country’s ongoing energy crisis. He made the call on Saturday at the opening of a two-day Energy Sector Retreat organized by the Government of Liberia in Nimba County.
In October 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai issued Executive Order No. 137, establishing a High-Level Steering Committee to oversee the development of key renewable energy projects, including the St. Paul River 2nd Hydro Power Plant Project (SP2) and a Solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) initiative.
Vice President Koung was appointed to chair this committee, reflecting the administration’s commitment to advancing Liberia’s renewable energy sector.
VP Koung emphasized President Boakai’s dedication to addressing Liberia’s electricity challenges.
“President Boakai takes the issue of electricity very seriously,” Koung said. “That’s why we are here today, bringing together key government agencies and private sector players to find solutions. But this is not just about the government. Every Liberian with knowledge on how we can improve our electricity sector should come on board and share their recommendations.”
The retreat brought together major institutions, including the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Justice, the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Agency, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, among others.
Speaking at the retreat, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA, stressed the importance of renewable energy and the need to involve private companies in the electricity sector.
“The world is moving towards clean energy, and Liberia should not be left behind,” Dr. Yarkpawolo stated. “As a regulatory institution, the EPA supports privatization in the electricity sector because private companies are easier to regulate and ensure compliance with environmental laws compared to government institutions.”
He highlighted the success of Jungle Energy Power (JEP) in distributing electricity and announced that a California-based renewable energy company has introduced a groundbreaking Atmospheric Wind Extractor (AWE) technology.
“This technology can generate electricity even with very low wind speeds,” he explained.
According to the EPA Executive, a team from the company is expected in the country this month to start the negotiation with the government and partners.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also called for incentives to encourage independent power producers, such as net metering.
“I have solar panels at my house, and during the day, I generate more electricity than I need,” he said. “With net metering, I could send my excess electricity to the national grid and use it at night when the sun is down. This would reduce the burden on LEC.”
He revealed that Novasphere, a Canadian energy company, is working with the EPA, LEC, and other agencies to pilot a net-metering policy in Liberia.
The two-day retreat is expected to climax on Sunday, February 9, 2025
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