By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The chairperson of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Lawrence D. Sakajibo has disclosed that one of the major challenges faced by the LEC in recent weeks is electricity generation, which has emanated from the lack of adequate flow of water at the Mount Coffee hydro dam; attributing it to be the cause of the recent rationing of electricity in Monrovia and its environs.
Dr. Sakajibo made the disclosure on Thursday, February 23, 2022 when he made an appearance at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism’s regular press briefing, where he spoke briefly, but with great insight.
Outlining the challenges faced by the LEC, Dr. Sakajibo asserted that generation deficit of power and the insufficient capacities at the electricity cooperation power plan has resulted in the demand for electricity to be grater than supply, therefore giving the need to balance supply and demand.
“Statistics show that the demand and need for electricity far exceeds the supply,” he stated.
At the same time, he outlined some challenges and remedies. Dr. sakajibo asserted that inorder to have adequate electricity supply, the dense supply of electrical supply should be in excess of 60mw of electricity as per the service and current load to Monrovia and its environ.
Therefore, urging the government of Liberia to conclude negotiations in the power purchase agreement and the transmission service agreement with the Cote De Voire electricity organisation. As well as service its indeptness with the Cotede Voira electricity organisation; asserting that it will give rise to stable and reliable electricity supply and increase connectivity and lower the cause of electricity.
He further indicated that the distribution of electricity in Monrovia and its environ and other parts of the country still remain a major challenge that has given the need for other electricity organizations to step in.
“The inability of the operator to effectively manage the distribution network in Monrovia and other parts of the country, provides a compelling case of private sector participation in the distribution space”.
He believes this will result in improving the stability, reliability and delivery of electricity, as well as increase revenue to the operators, reduction in risk and increase employment in the private sector.
The chairperson, Dr. sakajibo illuded that the jungle energy power in Nimba County is efficient, reliable and stable in the delivery of power and is contributing greatly to the creation of jobs, the transfer of risk provision and generation of additional revenue to the Liberia Electricity Cooperation.
And as such, he recommended the immediate commencement of House sourcing distribution network across the country.
