MONROVIA — The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand electricity access to 75 percent of the population by 2030, while acknowledging ongoing challenges including power theft, limited generation, and rising demand.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, LEC’s Managing Director Mohammed M. Sheriff said the utility has already made measurable progress but must accelerate reforms to meet national targets.
“We are on a trajectory to achieving 75 percent access… today we are at 38 percent, up from around 32 percent,” he disclosed.
Rising Demand Outpacing Supply
The LEC boss revealed that electricity demand has surged significantly, now reaching approximately 143 megawatts, while generation capacity remains constrained.
“Your demand is increasing, but your generation remains flat… generation is not something you can develop overnight,” he explained.
To bridge the gap, Liberia continues to rely on regional electricity imports from Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea under the West African Power Pool arrangement.
Load Shedding and Regional Constraints
The Managing Director clarified that ongoing load shedding is not unique to Liberia but reflects broader regional challenges, particularly reduced hydroelectric output during the dry season.
“Something happening is across the entire region… we are among the least in terms of load shedding,” he said, noting recent reductions to as low as 10–15 megawatts.
He stressed that the long-term solution lies in expanding domestic generation capacity through a mix of hydro, thermal, and renewable energy sources.
Crackdown on Power Theft
A major concern highlighted during the briefing is power theft, which officials say accounts for nearly half of lost revenue.
“Every dollar we get, we only receive about 53 percent… the rest is lost, largely due to power theft,” he revealed.
To combat this, LEC plans to roll out 100,000 smart meters equipped with anti-tampering technology and real-time monitoring capabilities.
“When you attempt to bypass the system, we will see you from our dashboard,” he warned.
Grid Expansion and Infrastructure Upgrades
The utility reported connecting more than 63,000 customers in 2025 and replacing over 400 transformers to stabilize the aging grid.
It also disclosed ongoing expansion into previously underserved communities, including parts of Montserrado and surrounding counties.
“We extended electricity to areas that had not seen power for over 40 years,” the Managing Director said.
Addressing Public Concerns
The LEC leadership acknowledged shortcomings in customer service and operational inefficiencies, pledging reforms through digital transformation and faster response systems.
“We are not on any illusion that everything is fixed… we are here to address all those issues,” he admitted.
Plans include mobile apps for reporting faults, decentralized service centers, and stricter internal controls to curb corruption.
Government Support and Outlook
The government has recently injected US$20 million to settle outstanding debts with regional suppliers, improving Liberia’s standing in the power market.
Officials say achieving stable electricity nationwide will require sustained investment, reduced theft, and continued regional cooperation.
“The Liberian people deserve reliable, affordable electricity… and we are moving aggressively to deliver,” the LEC boss assured.
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