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Hydro feasibility study out, needs US$383m |
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Written by Vivian Gartyn
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Friday, 22 August 2008 |
A feasibility study carryout at the Mount Coffee Hydro shows that the facility was completely damaged during Liberia’s war years.
The study carried out by the Stanley Consultants Incorporated shows that the dam needs to be rebuilt almost from scratch.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Consultants recommended that the facility be rebuild to a 66 mega watts capacity.
Mr. Gregs Thomopolus also recommended the building of an upstream storage reservoir to ensure that electricity is provided all through the year.
The reservoir will feed the dam during the dry season in order to maintain the production of 66 megawatts of power at an affordable tariff.
About US$383m is needed to reconstruct the Hydro system which according to experts is a viable way to ensure sustainable electricity.
Mr. Thomopolus told Star Radio, if the resources are made available the first unit will come on line at the end of 2011.
The feasibility study was funded by a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development agency.
Liberia is currently relying on generators to provide electricity to some parts of Montserrado, a means that is said to be very expensive.
Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the feasibility study on the Mount Coffee Hydro as a major step to the recovery of Liberia’s electricity sector.
President Sirleaf says government will work with its partners to mobilize the funding for the reconstruction of the Hydro.
Madam Sirleaf earlier said government would consider the Bid of Transfer process as it could not afford the cost of reconstruction now.
Under the BOT, a company would undertake the reconstruction and operate the Hydro for a certain period of time.
The President hopes the reconstruction can be achieved within the next two to three years as many Liberians cannot afford the current electricity government is providing.
She thanked the Stanley Consultants for the study and recounted that it was one of the companies involved with the construction of the original Hydro.
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