MONROVIA – White Plains, Montserrado County – The Government of Liberia’s ambitious 20-megawatt (MW) solar power project at the Mount Coffee Hydro facility is making significant progress, with more than 6,500 solar panels already installed, according to the Deputy Minister for Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Charles Umehai.
Deputy Minister Umehai made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the Mount Coffee site this week, where he led a technical team from the Department of Energy to assess the pace and quality of ongoing construction works.
He revealed that a total of 6,548 solar panels have been successfully installed — a milestone he described as a “major step toward achieving sustainable and climate-friendly power generation” in Liberia.
“The goal is not just to generate power but to integrate community livelihood into renewable energy development,” Umehai said, emphasizing that the ministry’s energy transition efforts are designed to also support agricultural activities and improve food security.
During the visit, Deputy Minister Umehai held discussions with administrators and technicians of the Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the installation process meets both technical and environmental standards. He also recommended adjustments in the height of the solar panels to allow nearby residents to use portions of the land for food crop cultivation.
The Mount Coffee Solar Project is a key component of the government’s renewable energy drive under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). The initiative seeks to expand renewable energy infrastructure, diversify the national energy mix, and improve access to clean and reliable electricity nationwide.
By integrating solar technology into the existing hydropower system, the Ministry of Mines and Energy aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels — marking a critical step toward a greener and more sustainable energy future for Liberia.
