By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Government of Liberia through the National Authorizing Office (NAO) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), and other energy-related line ministries and agencies will undertake a follow-up technical mission under the €42 million Light Up South East (LUSE) Program, a statement from authorities associated with the matter have said.
Scheduled for January 26–29, 2026, the mission represents a critical push to ensure that large-scale energy infrastructure projects in south-eastern Liberia meet international quality standards and regulatory requirements before their 2026 completion deadlines.
A statement from the EU stated that the four-day mission follows a previous inspection that identified several “noncompliance and implementation issues” among project contractors. This follow-up will serve as a rigorous audit of corrective actions, with technical teams reviewing comprehensive inspection of distribution and transmission networks, evaluating the work of firms like Constar Inc. and MBH Power against approved final designs as well as ensuring projects remain on track to deliver power to thousands of homes and businesses.
A key priority for the delegation is the Barclayville Solar Mini-Grid Project. Implementation has recently faced hurdles regarding compliance with the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) grid code.
The National Authorizing Office (NAO) and the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) confirmed they are working to harmonize technical and financial matters with contractors to prevent further delays in Grand Kru County.
“The LUSE Program remains a flagship investment supporting inclusive development, economic growth, and improved service delivery in underserved regions,” stated EU Ambassador Nona Deprez. “The European Union reaffirms her commitment to expanding access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity.”
The LUSE Program is a 100% EU-funded grant designed to transform the socio-economic landscape of three major hubs: including Buchanan 117.5 km distribution network 12,054 new connections, Greenville 2MW Mini-Hydro + 850 kWp Solar 4,344 new connections and Barclayville 200 kWp Solar + 15 km network Expansion of county-wide access.
This mission is strictly technical, reflecting a shared commitment between Team Europe and the Liberian government to transparency and quality assurance. By addressing these technical bottlenecks now, the LUSE Program aims to provide a “lifeline” for economic transformation in regions that have historically faced extreme infrastructure deficits.
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