Energy development in the Saint-Paul river basin

Combining hydropower and solar energy to develop Liberia’s electricity generation capacity

To remedy the low level of electrification in West African countries, a number of projects have been launched with the support of the World Bank, which promotes the use of renewable energies and the interconnection of electricity grids between countries.

The project to develop the Saint-Paul river valley in Liberia is one example of the efforts being made to rehabilitate existing facilities and increase the country’s hydroelectric and solar production capacity.

250 MW

of new hydroelectric power

122 MW

of hydroelectric power enhanced

90 MWp

of solar production

CONTEXT & ISSUES

In order to boost its national electricity supply and contribute to the CLSG (Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea) interconnected grid, Liberia has chosen to give priority to renewable energy in its development plan for the Saint-Paul river basin. This hybrid project includes the construction of a 150 MW hydroelectric scheme, with storage capacity, the extension of the Mount Coffee power station to bring its total capacity up to 122 MW (88 MW + 44 MW), and the development of 90 MWp of solar potential distributed over several sites.

WAPP (West African Power Pool) has commissioned Artelia to carry out the technical and economic feasibility studies and the environmental and social impact assessments for the three components of this project. This hybrid solution makes it possible to give priority to low-carbon energies, optimise the potential of each development and meet the government’s various energy challenges. The approach of launching the impact studies at the earliest stages of the technical design is another strong point contributing to the sustainability of the project.

Photo credits: DIG International Group Ltd