ECOWAS power regulatory authorities deliberate on growth of sector

Representatives of national power regulatory authorities and operators across ECOWAS member states last Monday convened on Accra to deliberate on essential issues concerning the growth of the regional electricity market. 

The two-day meeting, which ended yesterday, was attended by members of Regulators and Operators Advisory Committees of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).

Discussions were focused on reviewing and finalising key regulatory and operational documents to enhance electricity trade security and market integration across the region.

Participants also reviewed documents relating to an appropriate pricing methodology in the context of current evolution of the regional electricity market and procedures for the calculation model of the regional electricity transmission tariffs, among others.

The meeting preceeded ERERA’s ninth forum on regional regulation which begins in Accra today. The forum would focus on security of electricity trade in the ECOWAS region, and an interaction between national policies and free market principles.

The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority is the regulator of regional cross-border trade of electricity in West Africa.

Significance

The Chairman of ERERA, Kocou Rodrigue Laurent Tossou, described the meeting as a historic milestone towards the launch of a competitive and dynamic regional electricity market, adding that “it is the 23rd of its kind since the creation of ERERA in 2008”.

“ERERA is considered the engine of all the mechanisms put in place for the establishment and development of a regional electricity market in our community, but finds itself today at the crossroads of development towards the launch of a competitive and dynamic phase of the market,” he said.

Mr Tossou said that the regional electricity market aimed at integrating national power systems and fostering development in power generation and transmission infrastructure to ensure stable and competitive electricity supply across member states.

"Through collaborative efforts, we aim to harmonise national policies and regulations to facilitate efficient and secure electricity trade.

Mission

Mr Tossou further explained that ERERA’s primary mission was to establish a regional electricity market, ensure the regulation of cross-border electricity exchanges, and provide substantial support to national regulators of the electricity sector of member states, in collaboration with the West African Power Pool (WAPP),

He said ERERA intended to continue with such programmes by undertaking other initiatives and actions to improve the sector's governance and ensure the development of a dynamic and prosperous regional electricity market.

The meeting also witnessed the election of the President and Vice-President of the Consultative Committee of Regulators and Operators. 

Writer’s email: doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh