Is reliable energy the key to sustainable growth in Liberia?

The World Bank today released the fifth edition of its annual Liberia Economic Update, titled Powering Growth with Reliable, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy Access. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of recent economic developments in Liberia, underscoring the crucial role of reliable energy in fostering sustainable growth.

What is happening in Liberia's energy sector?

The update highlights key advancements in Liberia's energy sector, including notable progress in power generation and the expansion of energy access. However, despite these gains, the country faces significant power shortages, calling for substantial investments to achieve reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access for all Liberians.

Will Liberia get a 20 MW power supply in 2020?

In addition, the government signed a Power Purchase Agreement with a solar energy company to provide the country ≥20 MW of electricity in 2020 . Despite these efforts, much work remains to be done to improve access to reliable and affordable energy in Liberia.

What are the challenges to energy access in Liberia?

The primary challenge to energy access in Liberia is the limited and underdeveloped energy infrastructure. The lack of adequate power generation, transmission, and distribution systems contributes to this low access rate. The electrification rate is significantly lower in rural areas, where most of the population resides .

How will Liberia achieve universal access to electricity by 2030?

The country will need to invest heavily in energy infrastructure to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030 . The primary energy sources in Liberia are traditional biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal, which account for more than 80 % of the country's total energy consumption [5, 12, 13].

What energy sources does Liberia use?

Liberia also utilizes other energy sources on a smaller scale. These include small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar and biomass. However, the contribution of these sources to the overall energy mix in Liberia is limited. Abundant and clean energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.