By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA–The Managing Director of the Liberia Electrical energy Company (LEC), Mohammed M. Sherif, has dominated out the privatization of the state-owned energy utility, whereas unveiling main initiatives geared toward strengthening electrical energy provide and increasing technology capability forward of 2026.
Talking on ELBC 99.9 FM throughout an information-packed radio interview on Monday, December 22, 2025, Sherif stated the federal government’s focus is on strategic private-sector participation in energy technology, not the sale of LEC.
“LEC just isn’t being privatized. What we’re doing is legally participating the personal sector in electrical energy manufacturing to extend provide and assist financial development,” Sherif defined.
He famous that electrical energy stays a essential driver of nationwide improvement, stressing that improved energy provide multiplies productiveness throughout sectors together with mining, manufacturing, healthcare, training, and building.
Transmission Community beneath Main Rehabilitation
The LEC Managing Director acknowledged that Liberia’s transmission system stays one of many company’s greatest inherited challenges, largely as a consequence of post-war emergency interventions that centered on restoring fundamental electrical energy slightly than long-term stability.
To handle this, Sherif disclosed that LEC is aggressively rehabilitating its transmission community and has changed greater than 70 transformers nationwide inside the final two to a few months.
“Our technicians are working day and evening. These enhancements are essential to stabilize energy provide and meet rising demand,” he stated.
On energy technology, Sherif revealed that Unit One of many Mount Espresso Hydropower Plant, which has been broken for almost 4 years, is at the moment present process repairs utilizing trendy know-how to optimize efficiency.
He additionally introduced progress on the Mount Espresso Extension Undertaking, supported by the World Financial institution, which is predicted so as to add roughly 44 megawatts to the nationwide grid upon completion.
When mixed with current technology sources, Sherif stated the enlargement will considerably improve Liberia’s vitality safety and cut back dependence on emergency energy imports.
Sherif reported that Liberia has skilled over seven months with out nationwide load shedding, a marked enchancment in comparison with earlier years when outages lasted between eight and twelve hours each day.
“Most complaints at the moment are localized and associated to transformer points, which we’re actively addressing,” he said. He attributed the improved stability to predictive upkeep methods, repairs to thermal turbines, improved demand administration, and preparations forward of the dry season.
In response to Sherif, Liberia’s present put in capability stands at about 66 megawatts, supplemented by imported energy. Nonetheless, nationwide demand significantly from mining and industrial sectors is projected to develop considerably.
To bridge the hole, LEC is negotiating with Unbiased Energy Producers (IPPs) so as to add between 120 and 150 megawatts, with long-term projections concentrating on near 500 megawatts.
He additional disclosed that Liberia is positioning itself as a regional vitality participant, with over 1,800 kilometers of transmission strains able to supporting energy exports beneath regional power-pool agreements.
Sherif emphasised that vitality stays a high nationwide precedence beneath President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s improvement agenda, noting that electrical energy has been recognized as a serious constraint beneath Liberia’s engagement with the Millennium Problem Company (MCC).
“Electrical energy impacts each facet of life from factories and companies to colleges and hospitals. With out energy, financial development can not occur,” Sherif stated. He reaffirmed LEC’s dedication to institutional reforms, together with improved inner methods, diminished paperwork, and enhanced operational effectivity to make sure dependable and sustainable electrical energy provide for Liberians.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been within the occupation for over twenty years. He has labored for a lot of worldwide media shops together with: West Africa Journal, Africa Week Journal, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Occasions, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He’s the present correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in Worldwide Relations and a candidate for second grasp in Worldwide Peace research and Battle Decision from the College of Liberia.
