BUCHANAN – President Joseph Boakai has pledged to address Buchanan’s ongoing electricity crisis, highlighting the irony of a city hosting the strategic TRANSCO CLSG substation yet remaining without power. Speaking during the launch of his $8.38 billion Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) plan, Boakai lamented the struggles of Buchanan’s residents and vowed to tackle the broader energy challenges plaguing Liberia.

“We enjoy the hospitality of the Bassa people, but Buchanan doesn’t have electricity. It’s something to think about,” Boakai remarked, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to ending Liberia’s chronic power shortages.

A Persistent National Energy Crisis

Liberia’s energy sector is among the least developed in Africa, with over 60% of the population lacking access to electricity. Even those connected to the grid face regular outages, particularly during the dry season when the hydropower sector—providing 70% of Liberia’s energy—suffers from insufficient rainfall.

While a $45 million World Bank project has expanded electricity access to nearly 494,000 Liberians, high energy costs and unreliable infrastructure remain significant barriers to national development. Buchanan residents, for instance, continue to rely on expensive generators and battery-powered lights, even with a fully operational TRANSCO CLSG substation in their city.

The substation, which became operational over 18 months ago, was designed to integrate Liberia into the West African Power Pool, enhancing regional energy connectivity. However, systemic failures, inadequate infrastructure, and weak leadership have left its potential unrealized.

Calls for Urgent Action and Comprehensive Reforms

Energy expert Elkanah Al-Philips has underscored the need for immediate reforms at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). “LEC requires more than quick fixes; it needs a comprehensive strategy to deliver consistent and reliable power,” Al-Philips asserted. He advocated leveraging the TRANSCO CLSG infrastructure to import power from neighboring countries, a solution he believes could be implemented in as little as three months with capable leadership.

Al-Philips also called for aligning energy reforms with national economic goals, particularly through industrial integration. “A paradigm shift is essential. Integrating mining concessions and industrialization into the national grid can accelerate economic growth,” he said, echoing similar sentiments expressed by Minister of Mines and Energy Wilmot Paye.

Buchanan as a Microcosm of Liberia’s Energy Woes

Buchanan’s lack of electricity symbolizes the systemic issues that have hindered Liberia’s development. The unused potential of the TRANSCO CLSG substation serves as a stark reminder of the missed opportunities that continue to stifle economic growth and diminish quality of life.

During his visit, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing these issues. His acknowledgment of Buchanan’s electricity crisis underscores the centrality of energy access in his AAID plan, which places infrastructure development and energy reforms at its core.

Charting a New Path Forward

The AAID plan, valued at $8.38 billion, prioritizes energy sector transformation as a critical pillar of Liberia’s development strategy. Joined by Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence and Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, President Boakai reiterated his commitment to revamping Liberia’s energy infrastructure through targeted investments, leadership overhauls, and collaboration with regional power initiatives.

Buchanan’s energy challenges are emblematic of broader national issues, but Boakai’s administration hopes to turn the tide by delivering sustainable, reliable power as part of a broader push for inclusive development and economic growth.