News

Berger/Cummins to Design and Build 10 MW Power Plant for USAID/Liberia

Washington, DC – In June 2010 The Berger/Cummins Joint Venture was awarded a contract by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to design and build a 10 MW power plant for the Liberia Electric Corporation (LEC) under a six month period of performance. Liberia is in the process of re-electrifying their country after a protracted 10 year civil war and LEC is bringing more commercial power both to the capital city of Monrovia and to various outlying townships. USAID is supporting this nation building initiative by supplying funds for various projects, to include this new power plant and the construction of other ancillary electrical facilities.

The Berger/Cummins scope includes:

  • Design, build and provide the gen sets and electrical equipment for the 10 MW power plant, associated 22kV summation switchgear and connection to the existing 69KV switch. Upon commissioning, the plant is required to meet stringent performance and fuel efficiency requirements;
  • Engineer the synchronization of the new 10 MW plant with the pre-existing 7 MW plant;
  • Design and construct a structural steel cover over the gen sets and fuel tanks;
  • Design and construct an above ground fuel supply and storage system, adequate for 7-day supply;
  • Provide training to LEC staff and follow on technical support.

Presently, LEC is able to provide only 7 MW of power to the entire capital city of Monrovia which has a population of 1.5 million people. Over 90% of the city has no commercial power and power for those who can afford it is being supplied by spot generation which is very inefficient and very costly to maintain. This new 10MW plant will more than double the current commercial capacity of LEC.

Future projects are also being planned to bring reliable energy into Liberia include the repair of the hydroelectric system, new high voltage transmission and rebuilding local 22kV distribution. The 10 MW plant is considered an emergency stopgap measure that will provide relief while the larger required electrical infrastructure projects are funded and commence. Berger/Cummins is exceptionally proud to be selected for this most worthy humanitarian endeavor and stands as a partner, poised and ready to assist LEC and the people of Liberia rebuild.

Berger/Cummins has a wealth of experience operating successfully in Africa that stretches back more than 50 years. LBG has completed more than 1,250 projects in 49 African countries. Over the past five years alone LBG has performed 214 projects in Africa with a total value of $1.4 billion.

"Berger/Cummins is your power of one."