The Liberia Energy Access Practitioners known as LEAP Network on Thursday October 10, 2024 commenced validation of its five year strategic action plan to mitigate current challenges within the sector.
LEAP Network, established in 2016 represents local businesses and key stakeholders committed to enhancing energy access through the promotion of renewable energy technologies.
Liberia currently faces acute electricity problems with only 31.8 percent of country’s population having access to electricity, according to the World Bank. In rural areas, the situation is even worse with less than 14 percent of the population having access to electricity thus limiting socio-economic development and delivery of essential services.
In an effort to address these challenges, the Liberia Energy Access Practitioners known as LEAP Network has developed a five year plan which runs from 2024-2029 with support from the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF).
The plan aims at achieving universal access to sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.
Speaking Thursday at the validation of the plan in Monrovia, LEAP Network President Royston Gbelia said the plan when fully implemented, will achieve 30 percent growth in the capacity and infrastructure of Liberia’s renewable energy sector by 2029.
Mr. Gbelia lamented that the validation with members of the Network is the first of series of engagements to finalize the plan.
Royston Gbelia emphasized the importance of transitioning to renewable energy technologies to help bridge the gap in the energy sector which continues to hinder progress in the health, education, and economic growth particularly in underserved and remote communities.
“We want to see significant progress in the renewable energy sector,” he said. Highlighting the important role of renewable energy to climate change, Mr. Gbelia says “what we into is all about climate change, renewable energy plays a major part to the fight against climate change and global warming.”
Commenting on the goals, Royston Gbelia said the goals of the plan are to significantly advance energy access in Liberia by fostering collaboration, building capacity, and promoting the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
He added that these goals are aligned with Liberia’s national development priorities and international commitment such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7) particularly affordable and clean energy.
“So we the small businesses want to encourage solar system in the villages where LEC might not reach, those kids that are going to school need to have electricity to study,” LEAP Network President emphasized at the validation.
Also speaking via telephone at the validation, Rural Renewable Energy Agency of Liberia Business Development Consultant Steven Payma called on members to take ownership of the plan.
Mr. Payma said the private sector is a key player in ensuring that Liberia achieves its universal access to sustainable and reliable energy by 2030.
“The goal is to be able to electrify 70 percent of our population through grid connected sources and 30 percent through off grid solution, in order to achieve this ambitious target we see the private sector as our strategic partner,” Steven Payma said.
For his part, Energizing Development (EnDev) Project Manager Maximillian Ryssel thanked the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund and the Embassy of Sweden for supporting the LEAP Network for coming up with such plan.
Mr. Ryssel said access to electricity is essential for any commercial and industrial development as well as the driver for efficient agriculture and food security and as such LEAP Network shouldn’t be left behind.
As the government seeks to increase access to electricity by 70 percent as of 2030, “you are the people, the companies that make energy access possible for Liberians, and it’s not the government or the donors, we are here to support you,” EnDev Project Manager Maximillian Ryssel told members of LEAP Network.
He wants members of the Network to unite in one voice on issues in the sector.
The validation is the first of series of activities that will lead to the final launch of the plan.
It is hope that with the launch of the plan, LEAP Network will increase access to electricity particularly in rural areas with the help of partners.
