LIBERIA: ELECTRIC COMPANY REQUESTS PARTNERSHIP WITH TVA;

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000070 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W STATE PLEASE PASS OPIC FOR JOHN SIMON PLEASE PASS USTDA E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: ENRG EAID BEXP AMGT ABLD ASEC OPIC LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: ELECTRIC COMPANY REQUESTS PARTNERSHIP WITH TVA; MAKES PITCH FOR EMBASSY BUSINESS ¶1. (SBU) Harry Yuan, the Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC, the state-owned electricity provider) visited the Ambassador January 17 to request his assistance in arranging an association with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He proposed a partnership between TVA and LEC with regard to developing the St. Paul River Basin in Liberia. The partnership could support recovery of Liberia's electricity sector through technology transfer and by providing training and equipment. Yuan has been impressed by TVA since receiving his engineering degree from Northeastern University. ¶2. (SBU) Separately, Yuan said LEC could provide electric capacity for new embassy construction, starting in mid-2008. LEC expects to have 5 MW available and will use 1 or 2 MW for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance complex. And additional 2 MW will be directed towards Bushrod Island. The Ambassador noted the Embassy is considering opening UN Drive (in front of the Chancery) in one direction, if LEC crews would like to wire that street. (Note: The road in front of the Embassy is currently blocked completely. End note.) Yuan said while he is eager for Embassy business, he is not eager to wire Capitol Hill (with the Legislature, Executive Mansion and Temple of Justice) because of the political complexity. Comment: USG contractors are working with LEC to find a solution to electrifying Capitol Hill. While Yuan did not explicitly say so, LEC is not confident the legislature will pay its bills. End Comment. Booth