News

Berger/Cummins Completes Construction of 10 MW Power Plant in Liberia

March 21, 2011

Officials of Governments of United Statees and Government of Liberia inaugurate new USAID-funded 10 MW power plant built by Berger/Cummins for Liberia Electricity Corporation

MONROVIA, Liberia — In August 2010, the Berger/Cummins Joint Venture began construction and installation of a 10 MW power plant for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) at the Bushrod Island site, a gift from the American people funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Liberia is in the process of re-electrifying after a protracted ten-year civil war, and LEC is working to provide more commercial power both to the capital city of Monrovia and to various outlying townships. The Berger/Cummins scope of work included design, construction, and provision of gensets and 22kV electrical equipment for the plant and switchgear, engineering the synchronization of the new 10 MW plant with an existing 5 MW plant, design and construction of an above ground fuel supply and storage system adequate for seven-day's operation, design and construction of a hurricane resistant structural cover and operator training for LEC staff. Prior to the construction of this new plant, LEC had an installed capacity of just 9.6 MW for the entire city of Monrovia, so the commercial capacity for the city is now more than double.

On February 14, Berger/Cummins and LEC held a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony, attended by Liberian President Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and USAID Mission Director Ms. Patricia Rader. The dignitaries cut the ribbon at the entrance to the plant, and then entered the plant for a brief description of the project. President Johnson-Sirleaf pushed the start button in the middle of the plant and three generators roared to life, signifying the President sending power to the people of Liberia, then took a tour of the power plant, including stepping inside one of the genset units. The US Ambassador thanked Berger/Cummins for completing the power plant on time and on budget. The afternoon concluded with the President's remarks, promising the people of Liberia that the power generated at this plant would make it to their homes in the coming months.

Berger/Cummins has since completed all punchlist, turnover, fuel testing and commissioning requirements and LEC will be operating the 10 MW plant moving forward.