By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay | Correspondent
Sinoe County,Greenville City –Friday,March 27, 2025- The Government of Liberia, in collaboration with the European Union and other development partners, has successfully concluded a five-day high-level field mission to the southeastern region of the country. The mission, aimed at advancing rural electrification efforts, engaged local authorities, stakeholders, and beneficiaries—including the media—to highlight the significance of the “Light Up South-East” (LUSE) Project.
The initiative underscores the Government of Liberia’s commitment to prioritizing rural electrification as a key driver of socio-economic growth, while also aligning with the European Union’s support for Liberia’s energy transition in line with its national development goals. The LUSE Project is designed to enhance energy infrastructure, stimulate economic development, and improve the quality of life for thousands of Liberians by extending electricity to underserved communities.
During the mission, Honorable Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, emphasized the project’s transformative impact, stating, “Expanding access to electricity in rural areas is a crucial step toward economic transformation and social development. This partnership with the European Union represents a strategic investment in Liberia’s future, ensuring that communities in the Southeast are not left behind in our national development agenda.”
Her Excellency Nona Deprez, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s energy transition. She urged all stakeholders to work efficiently within the project’s timeline, adding, “We count on all involved to work effectively together as the people in the intervention areas need electricity now. I am also hopeful that the Government will settle all resettlement action plan issues in a timely manner.”
Project Scope and Expected Impact
Upon full completion, the LUSE Project will provide electricity to an estimated 12,054 customers in Buchanan City through single and three-phase prepaid meters, along with the installation of 825 LED streetlights. In Greenville City, 4,344 households will be connected along a 43-kilometer transmission line, linking to a planned 2-megawatt mini hydro power plant on the Sinoe River Rapids. Additionally, 200 LED streetlights will be installed in Greenville.
To further enhance power reliability, Greenville City had previously benefited from an 850-kilowatt solar power plant in Murrayville, supported by an 820 KVA backup generator. The new hydro power plant will supplement electricity generation to meet the growing demand in the area. In Grand Kru County’s Barclaville, the project includes the construction of a solar PV plant, a mini-grid network, and solar home systems for surrounding communities.
As the mission concluded in Greenville City, project stakeholders reiterated their commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the initiative. They also called on residents to support contractors for the smooth execution of the project.
The LUSE Project marks a major milestone in Liberia’s electrification agenda and is expected to significantly transform the lives of people in the southeastern region by providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
Edited : Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
