By Amos Harris
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The Liberian government has taken a significant step toward expanding access to clean and affordable electricity by validating its draft Net-Metering Policy. The two-day technical session, organized by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), brought together key stakeholders to finalize a framework that will accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy.
Net-metering is a system that allows consumers with renewable energy generators, such as solar panels, to feed surplus electricity back into the national grid. This process not only supports the grid but also enables consumers to offset their electricity costs.
Madam Joebarline Gbozee, Director for Energy Policy, Research, and Planning at the MME, described the policy as a “landmark instrument” for promoting sustainable and reliable electricity. She noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to broaden energy service delivery as a foundation for economic growth.
Energy Minister Wilmot Paye praised the collaborative effort, stating his optimism that the draft policy will “deliver substantial reforms in renewable energy services.” He urged participants to provide their final input before the policy is submitted to the President’s Office for approval.
Charles Umehai, Deputy Minister for Energy, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for renewable energy investment. He highlighted that net-metering will not only expand access to electricity but also empower households, businesses, and institutions to become active participants in power generation.
The draft policy has been well-received by international partners, including the European Union, Novasphere, the Embassy of Sweden, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank (AfDB). These organizations, along with local entities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), and Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), emphasized the policy’s potential to reduce Liberia’s dependence on fossil fuel imports, attract private investment, and enhance resilience against climate change.
Technical presentations during the session outlined the policy’s core elements, including eligibility criteria, regulatory arrangements, and financial guidelines. National consultants confirmed that net-metering would diversify Liberia’s energy mix, stabilize the grid, and provide economic incentives for adopting renewable energy.
Monyan K. Flomo, Assistant Director for Hydrocarbons at MME, concluded that the policy is poised to become a cornerstone of Liberia’s transition toward affordable, clean, and reliable power, marking a turning point for the country’s energy sector.
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