GANTA, Nimba — The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) held a public hearing in Ganta City, Nimba County on Wednesday, September 9 as part of the license renewal process for Jungle Energy Power (JEP).
By Franklin Doloquee / Nimba
The session brought local officials, community leaders and stakeholders together to ensure transparency and solicit public input before the commission makes its final decision.
Opening the hearing, LERC Deputy Managing Director for Administration, Augustus V. Goanue, said the 2015 Electricity Law provides the legal basis for the commission’s regulations and licensing, which cover generation, transmission and distribution.
He explained that distribution licenses, including the macro-utility distribution license previously granted to JEP have fixed durations and must be renewed through a process that includes public consultation.
“We want to be as transparent as possible and make sure there is inclusion and public consultation in everything we do,” Goanue said.
He stated that LERC has organized similar hearings in other counties and that the Ganta Session gives consumers, civil society, government representatives, NGOs, youth and women’s groups, business leaders and former officials an opportunity to comment on JEP’s renewal request.
Local stakeholders present included the county superintendent’s office, Nimba’s Legislative Representative, the city mayor, the business community, civil society organizations and newly formed pressure groups such as Citizens United for Fair Electricity Services (CUFFIES).
After confirming that JEP had submitted the required documentation, Goanue stated that the public hearing is the final step before the commission analyzes comments and reaches a determination.
He also noted that LERC recently opened a regional office in Ganta to improve consumer engagement and receive complaints or submissions from surrounding communities including Ganta, Sanniquellie, Saclepea and Bahn.
“With the public hearing, we hope you will engage with us and contact our regional office if you have concerns or submissions,” he said.
The board of commissioners, chaired by Acting Board Chairman Ama M. Kamara, then proceeded with the hearing.
Residents and stakeholders were invited to raise concerns about JEP’s performance, service standards, tariff implications and plans to improve electricity quality and access.
LERC officials said public comments will be considered in their review before a final renewal decision is issued.
Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Deputy Managing Director for Administration at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Eric A. B. Fredericks, told residents LEC is committed to improving power distribution nationwide.
He said LEC holds the distribution permit and manages local electricity assets, while JEP operates as a partner tasked with day‑to‑day system management.
Fredericks acknowledged past shortcomings by other operators and said LEC is conducting assessments to ensure service providers meet performance standards.
“We were with LERC two or three months ago for an assessment and found serious problems,” he said, noting that the operator in the area is currently on probation while LEC completes further evaluations and possible recommendations.
Comparing operators, Fredericks praised JEP’s efforts relative to others but said more improvement is needed. He added that compliance officers at the meeting are documenting complaints and will take corrective action where necessary.
The LEC official also highlighted Liberia’s hydropower potential, saying the country could generate up to 1,000 megawatts if developed, which would reduce reliance on imported power and lower tariffs in the medium term. Until local generation is scaled up, Fredericks warned, Liberia will remain dependent on costly thermal generation and imported power that drive up tariffs.
Deputy Minister for Energy Charles Umehai, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Mines and Energy, commended LERC for providing a platform where citizens and stakeholders can discuss electricity services.
“Electricity is too important to be discussed behind closed doors,” he said, urging open, respectful and constructive engagement.
Umehai acknowledged JEP’s role in expanding access to electricity in the region, noting benefits to homes, businesses, schools, health facilities and public institutions.
He also confirmed that customer concerns over reliability, affordability, customer service, network expansion and overall quality are legitimate and must be addressed.
“A strong electricity sector is built not only on infrastructure and investment but also on trust between service providers and the communities they serve,” he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to expanding reliable and affordable electricity through national reforms and development initiatives.
JEP presentation
Alyue M. Keita, representing Jungle Energy Power, asked LERC to renew the company’s operating license and outlined network capacity, recent revenues and a five‑year plan to reduce technical losses and expand service.
Keita said JEP began operations in 2018 after winning a 2016 Privatization Bid.
The distributor received its first license on July 16, 2021; that license was due to expire in 2026, and the company awaits renewal proceedings.
Network and supply
JEP said its medium‑voltage network runs at 33 kV while low‑voltage distribution is at 0.4/0.23 kV.
The company has installed 159 transformers totaling 50,205 kVA and operates a single‑line distribution system.
Supply currently comes from the CLNG substation at Sikkim Park after earlier reliance on the CIE line.
Between January and August 2026, JEP recorded energy receipts of about 54,000 kWh on the selected Nimba feeder, the manager said.
The distributor buys bulk power at about $0.126 per kWh plus transmission and other charges and sells to customers under LERC‑approved tariffs.
Revenue and tariffs
JEP reported roughly $2.3 million in sales from January through August 2026, including about $28,000 from metal sales.
Keita said recent tariff changes have affected margins. Previously, the company bought power at about $0.50 per kWh and sold at $0.25 per kWh; after changes, JEP now buys at roughly $0.16 per kWh and sells at about $0.22 per kWh.
Accounting for system losses and other charges, the manager said JEP’s net margin is approximately $0.181 per kWh under the current structure, compared with $0.064 per kWh previously.
Losses, metering and collection
JEP reported average system losses near 50 percent at the start of operations and said it now achieves a prepaid meter reading rate of 73.58%.
The company has set a target to reduce total losses to 10% by 2031 and said it improved average outage performance by 66.6%.
The distributor acknowledged issues found during LERC inspections and said it implemented corrective work, including transformer repairs and vegetation management in coordination with LERC technical teams.
Five‑year plan and investments
As part of its renewal request, JEP presented a five‑year business plan that includes investments to reduce losses and expand connections.
The plan estimates investment needs of approximately L$235,000, with a 30% contingency for cash, operational management and inflation.
JEP plans routine annual meter rollouts and expects growing energy sales over the period.
The company said focusing service on denser customer clusters will raise revenue and lower per‑customer costs for dispersed rural areas.
JEP also signaled interest in generating part of its own power to lower bulk purchase costs and reduce exposure to transmission interruptions.
Appeal for support
Keita thanked LERC for technical guidance and said JEP is committed to implementing recommendations.
He urged regulators and government agencies to support network improvements and the license renewal, warning that the financial strain of high-cost bulk power and system losses threatens the utility’s sustainability.
The company also noted concerns about electricity theft and unsafe illegal connections that increase losses and put customers at risk.
Next steps
LERC said it will consider public comments and technical findings before issuing a final decision on JEP’s License Renewal.
Officials closed the hearing, assuring residents that their issues would be forwarded to LERC and JEP for action.
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