Monrovia – In a bid to address the electricity shortage in Liberia, the government is currently in negotiations with Runda Solar, a multi-million dollar solar power company, to develop a 250 megawatt solar panel installation in Montserrado County. This initiative aims to significantly enhance the country’s electricity supply.
Runda Solar has put forward an ambitious proposal for the Montserrado solar project, which promises to deploy solar power solutions across both urban and rural areas of the county. If approved, the project will be entirely funded by Runda Solar and subsequently handed over to the Liberian Government for integration into the national grid. To ensure the company can recoup its investment and generate revenue over time, various mechanisms and strategies will be established.
Founded in 2009, Runda Solar has evolved into a leading player in the solar industry, boasting a production capacity of 4GW for photovoltaic modules, 10GW for solar cells, and 1GWh for energy storage systems. The company is dedicated to professional, large-scale, and international development, aiming to create a world-class enterprise that provides green, eco-friendly, and affordable clean energy.
Chuang Zou, the Head for Overseas Market Development at Runda Solar, highlighted the company’s commitment to quality and its extensive global sales network, which spans Germany, Spain, Italy, France, South Korea, India, Australia, Japan, and more. Runda Solar has established offices in multiple countries, including Poland, Bulgaria, and Brazil, and is involved in numerous photovoltaic power station projects worldwide. The company is focused on contributing renewable and clean energy solutions globally, positioning itself as a leader in the industry.
Runda Solar maintains a strict quality control process to ensure high standards in its products. The company continuously invests in advanced equipment, provides professional training for its employees, and has established a testing laboratory to assess various product performances. This commitment to quality and reliability is a cornerstone of Runda Solar’s operations.
The company’s business model encompasses the entire photovoltaic industry chain, including research and development, production and sales of photovoltaic modules, design and construction of solar power generation systems, and energy storage solutions. Runda Solar plans to enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the national government or utility, which will guarantee a fixed price for the electricity generated over a specified period, ensuring steady revenue from the project.
Additionally, the company will benefit from Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs), where the government guarantees a fixed payment for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity produced from renewable sources. This system provides stable and predictable income for the solar initiative.
Ibrahima Traore, Chief Executive Officer of Zoom Network and Sarpoe Construction, revealed that he invited Runda Solar to Liberia as part of the Government’s ARREST agenda. He emphasized that the Runda Solar project will also enhance existing electrical grids to accommodate increased solar energy contributions, potentially incorporating smart grid technologies for optimized energy distribution and storage.
CEO Traore expressed confidence that the Asian-based company would harness solar power to benefit the nation, aligning with the government’s vision for change and encouraging all Liberians to participate in this initiative. He added that there is a comprehensive plan that includes training programs for technicians to make solar power accessible and affordable for everyone.
Currently, a two-person delegation from Runda Solar, led by Chuang Zou, is in Liberia, conducting meetings with top officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of State, and other government entities.