Policy To Advance Renewable Energy Transition Drafted

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), through the Department of Energy, has scaled up efforts to move Liberia to higher levels of advancing renewable energy provision and governance by convening stakeholders to validate a national Net-Metering Policy. The two-day technical working session, held at the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s in Monrovia, brought together government officials and energy sector specialists, stakeholders, development partners, civil society and private sector actors to discuss the appropriate roadmap and policy direction to guide net-metering across Liberia.

Net-Metering is a system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a public-utility power grid and surplus power is transferred onto the grid, allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility. Welcoming the participants, Joebarline Gbozee, Director for Energy Policy, Research, and Planning at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, stressed the significance of Liberia making this much-needed transition, which she noted, buttresses government’s ongoing efforts to expand energy service provision.

“The Net-Metering Policy is a landmark instrument in promoting access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable electricity for Liberia”, Director Gbozee stated. A release from the Ministry of Mines and Energy also quotes Minister Wilmot Paye as commending the participants and the foreign partners. He said his administration is optimistic that the Net-Metering draft Policy presents an opportunity for Liberia to experience substantial reforms in providing renewable energy services.

Paye encouraged the participants to give the sessions their best contributions in finalizing the document for submission to the Office of the President. Also addressing participants, the Deputy Minister for Energy, Charles Umehai, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy access while ensuring the need to create the appropriate environment for investment and innovation in the sector.  Deputy Minister Umehai emphasized that net-metering among other important services, improves energy access and empowers households, businesses, and institutions to actively participate in electricity generation.