Electricity in Liberia in 2022

As of 2022, electricity consumption in Liberia remains extremely limited, standing at only 4 watts per person—nowhere near the global average of 432 watts per person. The overwhelming majority, more than 90%, of Liberia's electricity comes from hydroelectric sources, which are low-carbon and clean. The remaining small fraction is generated from fossil fuels, contributing to climate change and air pollution. This stark contrast to the global norm indicates substantial room for improvement in electrical infrastructure and consumption. Low levels of electricity generation restrict economic development, hinder access to modern healthcare, and limit educational opportunities for Liberians.

Suggestions

To ramp up low-carbon electricity generation, Liberia could take a page from the books of both developing and developed nations that have harnessed the power of wind, solar, and nuclear energy. For instance, India, which shares some development challenges with Liberia, has made significant strides in both wind (82 TWh) and solar energy (113 TWh). In Africa, South Africa has shown potential with 12 TWh generated from wind. Learning from these successful implementations, Liberia could similarly invest in solar and wind farms, which can be scaled based on local conditions and resource availability. Additionally, for a more robust and uninterrupted supply, Liberia might look into nuclear energy, as exemplified by nations like Brazil (15 TWh) and India (48 TWh). This multifaceted approach would not only diversify Liberia’s energy mix but also reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Liberia’s journey with low-carbon electricity has been sporadic. In the 1980s, the country saw negligible changes in its hydroelectric power generation, with occasional minimal adjustments like a 0.1 TWh increase in 1985 and a slight decrease in 1984. After a long period of stagnation, there was a promising surge in 2020 with an increase of 0.5 TWh in hydroelectric power, although the subsequent years did not continue this upward trend. This historical context shows that while nascent progress was made recently, sustained efforts and targeted investments in low-carbon electricity are urgently needed to catalyze substantial and long-lasting improvements.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources