Washington, D.C. – The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has signed an agreement with Scatec for the construction of a 23.75-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant, which will be accompanied by 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage at the LEC Shefflin site in Margibi County.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
The project is expected to be completed within 64 weeks and represents a significant step in Liberia’s transition to clean, reliable, and sustainable energy.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, October 14, 2025 at the headquarters of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) — the private sector arm of the World Bank Group — in Washington D.C. Key stakeholders, including officials from the IFC, the Government of Liberia, and Scatec, were present at the signing.
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Mohammed M. Sherif, Managing Director of LEC signed on behalf of Liberia, while Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Scatec signed for his company.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ngafuan expressed the government’s appreciation to the partners who made the project possible.
Said Ngafuan, “I extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Scatec Release, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the IFC and the sector lead-the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) along with their dedicated teams, for working collaboratively to make this milestone possible.”
He emphasized the strategic role of energy in Liberia’s national development, particularly under the Agenda for Accelerated Inclusive Development (AAID).
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving 75% electricity access by 2030, as outlined in the Liberia Energy Compact, developed in partnership with the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other key stakeholders.
“It is an ambitious goal, and we are stretching ourselves to the limit to meet it,” he said. “But we are not doing it alone. We are fortunate to have committed partners—and dynamic leadership at LEC. I want to especially commend Mohammed M. Sherif and his team for bringing renewed energy and focus to this effort.”
Ngafuan also remarked that improved electricity access is crucial for economic transformation.
“With projects like this solar and battery storage initiative, we are helping businesses not just survive but thrive and improve their profits.”
He added that Liberia’s progress in rural electrification is already evident across the country.
‘‘Lights are being turned on in Rivercess, Grand Kru and other counties that have gone without electricity for decades. This proves that we are not spending all our time cursing the darkness but are lighting the candle.”
In brief remarks, CEO of Scatec,Hans Olav Kvalvaag, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s energy development.
“It is very important step for Liberia’s energy sector as we sign this agreement between the Government of Liberia and Scatec. “
This milestone shows a strong commitment to advancing clean and reliable energy solutions for the country. I’m very pleased to support this process. We remain committed to more private sector initiatives in Liberia’s energy future.”
Also commenting, LEC Managing Director, Mohammed M. Sherif, described the agreement as a pivotal moment in Liberia’s energy journey.
“The signing represents far more than a commercial transaction; it is a defining step in Liberia’s pursuit of energy sovereignty — a future where our nation generates, manages, and sustains its own power with resilience and dignity.”
Sherif explained that the project will be executed under a lease-to-own model, allowing LEC to increase its generation capacity without significant upfront capital expenditure while ensuring eventual ownership by the Liberian people.
“This project aligns directly with the LEC Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which is anchored on five core pillars: Financial Sustainability, Operational Excellence, Customer-Centric Service, Governance and Institutional Effectiveness, and Digital Transformation. As we sign this agreement, we are not merely adding megawatts to the grid; we are illuminating homes, powering industries, and fueling Liberia’s next chapter of inclusive growth,” he stated.
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