WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a major step toward clean and sustainable energy, the Government of Liberia through the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has signed an agreement with Scatec Release for the construction of a 23.75 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant with 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage at the LEC Shefflin site in Margibi County.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the headquarters of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, in Washington, D.C. The signing ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including representatives of IFC, the Government of Liberia, and Scatec Release.
Signing on behalf of Liberia were Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and Mohammed M. Sherif, Managing Director of LEC. Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Scatec Release, signed for the company. The project, according to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) press release issued the same day, is expected to be completed within 64 weeks and represents a critical step in Liberia’s transition toward clean, reliable, and sustainable energy.
Minister Ngafuan expressed the government’s deep appreciation to the partners who contributed to the agreement’s success. “On behalf of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and the Government and people of Liberia, 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,” the release quoted him as saying.
He emphasized the strategic role of energy in Liberia’s national development, particularly under the Agenda for Accelerated Inclusive Development (AAID), and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving 75 percent electricity access by 2030 as outlined in the Liberia Energy Compact. “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 Mr. Mohammed M. Sherif and his team for bringing renewed energy and focus to this effort.”
Ngafuan stressed that improved electricity access is essential 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 stated. “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.”
LEC Managing Director Mohammed M. Sherif described the agreement as a defining moment in Liberia’s energy journey. “Today’s 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,” he said.
Sherif explained that the project will follow a lease-to-own model, allowing LEC to expand its generation capacity without heavy 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,” he noted. “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.”
Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Release by Scatec, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Liberia’s energy development agenda. “Today marks a 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,” he said.
Several senior Liberian government officials witnessed the signing, including Wilmot J.M. Paye, Minister of Mines and Energy; Roland Lafayette Giddings, Minister of Public Works; and Nyekeh Forkpa, Deputy Minister of Education.
