LIBERIA - Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia (REEL Project) - Additional Financing

The Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia (REEL) – Additional Financing Project aims to complete the development of a 9.34 MW run-of-river hydropower plant at Gbedin Falls, together with its evacuation line, substations, access roads, and distribution network across Nimba County. The project was originally approved in 2019 and is implemented by the Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA). Additional financing became necessary following significant cost overruns related to higher-than-expected hydropower plant construction bids and unforeseen topographical constraints affecting access road works. The revised total project cost now amounts to UA 32.11 million, compared to the initial UA 24.45 million. The African Development Fund is providing UA 5.47 million in new loan resources, bringing the Bank Group’s total contribution to UA 29.12 million, while the Government of Liberia is contributing UA 2.99 million, including UA 2.19 million earmarked for the access road. No changes have been made to the project’s scope or design; the additional financing strictly covers the funding gap required to complete the original components, including the hydropower plant, road works, safeguards implementation, project management, and the Gender Action Plan.