Energy Project (3)
The Mt. Coffee Hydro Power plant rehabilitation is significantly financed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact. MCC provided up to forty percent of the US$ 357M, the total cost of the rehabilitation. Mt. Coffee rehabilitation represents the largest compact support to restore Liberia`s energy sector and provide access to reliable and affordable electricity. The Hydro has a generation capacity of 88 MW of electricity and reduces the cost of electricity. With stable and cheaper electricity, businesses can reduce costs, make more profits, hire more workers, and grow more quickly. Electricity enables business people to stay in the market much longer in the evening. Electricity keeps health centers operational, mainly at night and, reduces the cost of refrigeration for medications and vaccines. It enables students to study more at home and spend time in school and makes communities safer.
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Energy Project
The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission is part of the MCC Compact support to reform the Electricity sector. It was created by the New Electricity Law of Liberia passed by the National Legislature in 2015. Specifically, the Compact supports the standing up of the LERC. The compact pays salaries for LERC staff, procures office space, equipment and furniture. LERC will develop guidelines for electricity suppliers that guarantee health, safety and environmental standards in supplying electricity to homes and communities. It will review and monitor the safety standards of electricity supply. LERC will issue licenses to electricity suppliers, making sure suppliers meet all requirements of quality supply and services and set prices for electricity, not the suppliers themselves. One other key function of the LERC is that it gives voice to electricity customers. They will participate in managing the electricity sector by consulting with LERC and advising on issues affecting them. Customers, for the first time in Liberia, will have an independent forum, the LERC to file complaints against electricity suppliers for any wrong. LERC will also support efforts to fight power theft by arresting and prosecuting anyone using electricity without paying the bill.
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Energy Project
Under the energy project, the compact funds the construction of a state of the art Training Center for the Liberia Electricity Corporation. The idea is that with the hydro generating electricity, LEC will need trained work force to manage the public utility. The LEC Training Center will produce trained electricians, customer service staff, financial managers and administrators to manage the electricity sector. Trained electricians reduce deaths and damages caused by fires from illegal and improper connections to homes. Trained electricians promote safety in homes and communities. Trained electricians reduce illegal connections and power theft. Trained customer service staff more timely attend to customers` queries and rained financial managers and administrators will make LEC efficient and profitable.
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Energy Project
