On 11 October 2024, the World Bank participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Liberia's Respite Solar Project at the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Power Plant in Montserrado County. On the occasion, Georgia Wallen, World Bank country manager in Liberia announced that the Respite Solar project in Liberia will involve a grant of approximately 2 million US dollars allocated to the hiring of a transaction advisor for independent solar power producers (IPPs

The project aims to facilitate tenders for solar power generation, thereby laying the foundations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants throughout Liberia. This strategic development is expected to improve the country's energy infrastructure by providing sustainable energy solutions to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. “The grant will also support the conduct of feasibility studies, including the preparation of environmental and social instruments for private-sector solar photovoltaic power plants,” Ms. Wallen said

She said that the project is Liberia's first large-scale solar photovoltaic power plant, marking a giant step towards realizing the aspirations of the Liberian people for affordable, reliable, and clean energy to power their future.

For the World Bank, Ms. Wallen said that these efforts are not limited to building energy infrastructure. They aim to fulfill its mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity on a liveable planet

She explained that the location of the solar photovoltaic power plant at the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Power Station is extremely strategic.