Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MONROVIA70
2008-01-28 09:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:  

LIBERIA: ELECTRIC COMPANY REQUESTS PARTNERSHIP WITH TVA;

Tags:  ENRG EAID BEXP AMGT ABLD ASEC OPIC LI 
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VZCZCXRO2486
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHMV #0070 0280927
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 280927Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9685
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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

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