By Dominic Hlordzi & Mabel Adorkor Annang
The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority, ERERA is urging West African countries to work together to provide affordable electricity in the sub-region despite regional challenges.
At a Media briefing to announce the upcoming 9th ERERA forum to be held in Accra, the Chairman of ERERA Mr. Kocou Laurent Tossou called on ECOWAS member countries to take collective steps towards enhancing trade in the regional electricity market.
The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority, ERERA, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC and the Energy Commission are working to host the 9th ERERA Forum in Accra to discuss electricity resource sharing and cooperation.
The forum which will be preceded by a consultative meeting with key stakeholders will be used to review decisions and policies of the regulators of the electricity sector.
The meeting will be attended by about 15 delegations from all ECOWAS member countries.
The Consultative Committee of Operators and Regulators will meet on 22nd and 23rd July to discuss and approve rules and policies.
The meeting will also review the progress made in the electricity sector since the creation of the West African Power Pool.
The Chairman of ERERA Mr. Kocou Laurent Tossou said the forum which will focus on security of power supply will also provide more visibility to ERERA’s activities in Ghana.
“The primary objective is to secure or to be sure that the country has an affordable electricity in these countries.” He added.
The Executive Secretary of Energy Commission, Rev. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer said the West African sub-region must harness diverse energy resources efficiently to ensure competitive pricing and reliable energy supply.
“In some countries we have excess of Natural Gas, solar energy, hydro, wind and many renewable energy resources that together if we put it in one basket and we operate in one common market, definitely the prices are going to be more competitive, affordable and there we will get enough energy to supply and develop.” He stressed.
The Executive Secretary of PURC Dr. Ishmeal Ackah called for acceleration of the electricity market development by encouraging member countries to participate in the regional electricity market.
“What we need is affordable, reliable and accessible electricity. The good thing is that in most of our countries it is cheaper to import power than to even produce in the countries.” He observed.
ERERA is the regulator of regional cross-border trade of electricity in West Africa. The 9th ERERA Forum is themed: Electricity Trade Security in ECOWAS; the interplay between national policies and free market principles.