ECOWASECREEE Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Volume 4, 2012

ECREEE at COP 17, Contents Durban, South Africa P2 ECREEE SIDE EVENT AT COP-17, DURBAN P3

ECREEE becomes LAUNCH OF THE ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY an implementing agency CROPS ASSESSMENT for two UNIDO-GEF projects P5 ECREEE AND IRENA worth 9,3 million USD P14 SIGN MOU AND START THE IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT PROJECTS AND Cape Verde attains 25% ACTIVITIES P6 INSTALLATION OF A 9,9 Renewable Energy Penetration KW ROOF-TOP PV SYSTEM P5 P7

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 1 12/04/05 12:01 | 2 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE at COP 17, Durban, South Africa

— ECREEE Side Event, 7 December 2011

ECREEE was accepted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Cli- mate Change (UNFCCC) as an observer organization to the United Nations Cli- mate Change Conference, COP-17 in Durban, South Africa. At the margins of the COP, ECREEE organized the side event, ‘Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments for Sustainable Development in West Af- rica’ on 7 December at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC). The side event brought together high level speakers from the Econom- ic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Industrial L-R Mr. Christopher Addy-Nayo , Consultant for the ACP Business Climate Facility, Mrs. Irene Giner-Reichl, Development Organization (UNIDO), Director General for Development Cooperation, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs; Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE; Dr. Dmitry Piskunov, Managing Director, UNIDO; Dr. Strategic Global Environment Facility Johnson Boanuh, Director of Environment of the ECOWAS Commission; Dr. Robert Dixon - Climate Change (GEF), Austria and Spain. Team Leader at the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) The main objective of the side event was to identify ways to overcome the key constraints for green energy invest- bal renewable energy investments esti- also provided inputs for the ongoing ments in the ECOWAS region. This is mated at US$200bn. study of the improvement of investment against a background of the severe en- The distinguished panelists, among and business frameworks for green en- ergy crisis in the ECOWAS region and others, examined the role of interna- ergy in the ECOWAS region being un- the reality that, despite the region’s tional development assistance, climate dertaken by ECREEE with the assist- significant renewable energy and en- finance and the concept of Nationally ance of the Business Climate Facility ergy efficiency potential, it still presents Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), (BizClim). The study will also demon- its markets largely underdeveloped. In the added value of regional approaches strate how NAMAs can be used to raise 2010, for instance, West Africa attracted to address national investment barriers additional finance for renewable energy only a minimal fraction of the overall glo- and the role of ECREEE. The side event and energy efficiency investments.

IEA - ADEME Energy Efficiency Day at COP-17 — Wednesday, 7 December 2011

The International Energy Agency Agency (AEA), the French consultancy (IEA), in collaboration with the Republic company, Alternatives pour l’énergie, les of South Africa’s Energy Department and énergies renouvelables et l’environnement the French Environment and Energy Man- (AERE), the European Copper Institute agement Agency (ADEME) organized a and ENERGIA. series of side events on energy issues at The project is being undertaken against the margins of COP-17, held in Durban. the background of interrelated challenges This included the Energy Efficiency Day, that the ECOWAS region is currently ex- which took place on 7 December at the periencing – energy poverty, energy secu- Climate Change Response Expo. The day Ms Dominique Campana, (second form right) officially rity and climate change mitigation. The ED was marked by various sessions featuring presenting ADEME’s support to the SEEA-WA project. noted that, with access to modern energy high level policy dialogues on energy effi- Others are from left, Ms Hélène Sabathié-Akonor, Head services in the region at only about 20%, ciency trends and policies. Mahama Kap- of Sub-Sahara Africa International Affairs, ADEME; and given the unsustainable nature of cur- piah, Executive Director (ED) of ECREEE, Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director, ECREEE; and rent energy practices, it would be important Mr. François Moisan, Executive Director for Research, gave a presentation in the session on how Strategy and International Affairs, ADEME that energy efficiency remained a high pri- to overcome barriers to energy efficiency. ority. Its specific objective is to overcome This focused on the ongoing regional Union (ACP–EU) Energy Facility, ADEME the technical, financial, legal, institutional project ‘Supporting Energy Efficiency for and the United Nations Development Pro- and capacity related barriers that hinder the Access in West Africa (SEEA-WA)’ funded gram (UNDP). The project is implemented implementation of cost-effective energy ef- by the Africa Caribbean Pacific–European in partnership with the Austrian Energy ficiency measures in the region.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 2 12/04/05 12:01 | 3 | Volume 4 / 2012

NREL SIDE EVENT AT COP17, 29 NOV. 2011

ECREEE also participated in the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) side event which was held at the US Centre. NREL and other inter- national partners including ECREEE, Mahama Kappiah making a presentation at the Paris-Nairobi Side Event the Chilean Renewable Energy Center (CER), and the US Department of Ener- gy (DoE) supported Open Energy Infor- COP-17 Side Event: The Paris–Nairobi mation (OpenEI) (web portal http://ope- nei.org). OpenEI is an open platform to Climate Initiative share and link data, information, tools, training materials and other resources to — 8 December 2011 support clean energy development glo- Under the auspices of the Paris–Nai- Also, at the margins of the Paris- Nai- bally. The side event therefore sought robi Climate Initiative, the French and robi side event, Ms. Dominique Campana, to promote the gateway, which aims Kenyan Governments organized a minis- the International Affairs Director of ADEME to provide relevant information, enrich terial COP-17 side event as well as one presented a cheque for the amount of content, reduce duplication of effort, on ‘Structuring Energy Projects and the €42,000 to the ECREEE Executive Direc- and provide a more universal structure NAMAs’. In his presentation at the event, tor. This amount represents the first in- for data management. The OpenEI is Mr Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Executive stallment of ADEME’s contribution to the akin to the ECOWAS Observatory for Director, gave an overview of the energy SEEA-WA project which is currently being Renewable Energy and Energy Effi- situation in West Africa, the establish- implemented by ECREEE. ADEME is con- ciency (EORE). The web-based EORE ment of ECREEE, and the centre’s inter- tributing a total of €140,000 to the project will be launched by ECREEE at the end ventions and priority programmes for the which is sponsored by the EU-ACP- En- of 2012 and will inform interested in- next 5 years covering the areas of policy ergy facility of the European Union to the vestors on renewable energy potential, development, capacity development, and tune of €1,500,000. Other co-donors of the stakeholders and business opportunities knowledge management, as well as in- SEEA-WA project include the UNDP and in the ECOWAS region. vestment promotion. the ECOWAS Commission.

Book Presentation – ‘Africa and Climate Change: The Heat is On‘ — 6 December 2011

ECREEE also participated in The ECOWAS Regional Centre for the book presentation, ‘Africa and Renewable Energy and Energy Climate Change: The Heat is On’, Efficiency at a Glance’. The chap- which was held at the EU Pavilion ter highlights the pioneering ap- of the Climate Change Response proach of ECOWAS in developing Expo at COP-17. Edited by Am- the region’s renewable energy and bassador Georg Lennkh, special energy efficiency sectors, which envoy and Austria’s foremost ex- subsequently led to the establish- pert in African politics, and Irene ment of the first regional renew- Giner-Reichl, Director-General able energy and energy efficiency for Development Cooperation at (RE&EE) promotion agency in the Austrian Foreign Ministry, the sub-Saharan Africa. The centre’s volume presents important Af- activities aim to mitigate the effects rican voices, from government, L – R: Chris Addy-Nayo, Consultant for the ACP Business Climate Facility; of the existing barriers to the crea- international organizations and Mrs. Irene Giner-Reichl, Director General for Development Cooperation, tion of RE&EE markets in West academia, on one of the ‘hottest’ Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and Hyacinth Africa. They also contribute to the global issues as it affects a con- Elayo, Energy Policy Analyst at ECREEE at the Book Presentation achievement of the UN Millennium tinent. Cognizant of the fact that Development Goals (MDGs), the Africa may have to bear the brunt of the leading up to COP-17. Mahama Kap- UN goal on universal access to clean, af- effects of climate change, the book ex- piah, ECREEE ED, and Martin Lugmayr, fordable energy by 2030 and the interna- amines the various ways African stake- Renewable Energy Expert at ECREEE, tional agreements to reduce greenhouse holders have been analysing the threat contributed a chapter – ‘Towards a Sus- gas (GHG) emissions to keep the global and assessing their options, particularly tainable Energy Scenario in West Africa: average temperature rise below 2°C.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 3 12/04/05 12:01 | 4 | Volume 4 / 2012

Cape Verde Attains 25% Renewable Energy Penetration

The Island country of the Island of Sal (2.5 MW). The Cape Verde has com- construction of the 25.5 MW bun- pleted the installation of dled wind park on four islands in a 25.5 MW wind park, 2011 therefore brings to a total of thus increasing the total 33MW, the installed RE capacity installed capacity of re- in Cape Verde. newable energy instal- The total cost of the project is lation in the country to €61 M funded by credit sources 33MW. With this project, from the European Investment the country has already Bank (EIB) €30 M, the African De- attained half of its target velopment Bank (AfDB) - €15 M, of 50% renewable en- and equity sources from the Af- ergy penetration by 2015 rica Finance Corporation (AFC), – adopted in its 2010 re- Finnfund, Infraco, Electra and the newable energy policy. Government of Cape Verde. The Following the adoption project is expected to produce 80 of the policy, the govern- to 110GWh/year and cut down H.E Dr. José Maria Neves, Prime Minister of Cape Verde ment embarked on a com- at the inauguration of the Wind Park in São Vicente CO2 emissions from 12.000 to prehensive RE resource 20.000 ton/year. assessment, developed RE resources maps for all its ten islands, Number and developed the Cape Verde Renewable Island Type of Turbine Capacity(MW) Energy Investment Plan (CV-REIP), which of Turbines identified potential locations for installing Santiago Vestas ‐ V‐52 11 9.35 RE generation plants in the country. In ac- Sao Vincent Vestas ‐ V‐52 7 5.95 cordance with the Plan, the Government, Sal Vestas ‐ V‐52 9 7.65 with a concessional credit from Portugal, Boavista ‐ ‐ 3 2.55 constructed two Solar PV parks in 2010 Vestas V 52 on the islands of Santiago (5 MW) and Total 25.5

The ECREEE BizClim Project – ‘Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments in West Africa in the Context of the NAMAs’

ECREEE is undertaking a strategic study: private investments in clean energy pro- projects will also generate a host of sustain- ‘Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy duction, efficient energy consumption and able development benefits to local commu- Efficiency Investments in West Africa in the other environmental projects. However, so nities leading to job creation, and improved context of the NAMAs’. Supported by the far, West Africa is not attracting substantial energy supply and sanitation. ECREEE ACP (BizClim), the project will review and investment in the renewable energy and has the potential to become an important analyse targeted ECOWAS countries’ en- energy sectors. Moreover, West African link between international climate, energy vironmental and investment policy legisla- countries are hardly benefiting from the es- and development cooperation policy, and tion/regulations/procedures. This is against tablished clean development mechanisms a key entry point for international funding a background where in West Africa, with and other carbon funds. This requires that for energy related climate change mitiga- rapidly growing economies, energy con- governments support an enabling business tion in West Africa in forthcoming years. sumption will more than triple by 2030. This environment to encourage financial institu- This study therefore aims to strengthen or will require more than €10b in investment in tions, private banks and private investors create the enabling environment for invest- energy and environmental projects. These to come into the market to invest in green ments and innovative finance in NAMAs investments will be crucial in determining technologies. More so in the case of NA- regarding RE&EE environmental projects whether the ECOWAS region contributes to MAs, it requires that there be a legislative, in West Africa by catalysing the introduc- minimizing GHG emissions. Countries can regulatory and institutional framework to at- tion of the necessary legal and regulatory invest in clean technologies to fight climate tract funding from the industrialized coun- reforms, including through NAMAs Policies change and to stimulate other small-scale tries for RE&EE investment projects. These and Measures (PAMs).

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 4 12/04/05 12:01 | 5 | Volume 4 / 2012

The ECREEE Business Plan 2011–2016

The ECREEE Business Plan for the period 2011–16 has been developed by ECREEE in cooperation with the technical assistance of Nexant Inc. and with the support of the United States L-R: Bah Saho, Renewable Energy Expert, ECREEE; Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Executive Director; Henk Agency for International Development Joos, Chief Executive Officer of QUINVITA;and Edna Sanches, Financial and Administrative Manager of (USAID), Spain, Austria and UNIDO. QUINVITA at the signing of the bio-energy assessment agreement between ECREEE and Quinvita. The business plan provides a power- ful strategic long-term implementation framework allowing continued monitor- Launch of the ECOWAS Sustainable ing of the achievements of the centre. By mapping out a clear vision, the plan serves to guide the centre towards a po- Bioenergy Crops Assessment sition of relevance and sustainability in the coming years. The strategy includes ECREEE, UNIDO, the International the best sites for renewable energy (RE) the definition of objectives and - mile Industrial Biotechnology Network (IIBN) projects. All data will be published through stones, performance indicators, annual and QUINVITA, a global industrial crop the ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable action plans, and human and financial technology and knowledge provider for Energy and Energy Efficiency (EORE). resources requirements. It also high- Jatropha, have launched a major strate- lights the peculiarities and specific chal- gic study on the potential for sustainable ECREEE AND CENER ASSESS lenges facing the region with respect to production of novel bioenergy crops in the THE CSP POTENTIAL energy, while presenting the opportuni- ECOWAS region. A cooperation agree- AND INVESTMENT SITES ties for and barriers to renewable energy ment was signed by Mr Mahama Kappiah, IN WEST AFRICA and energy efficiency deployment, as ED of ECREEE and Mr Henk Joos, Chief well as a country-by-country review Executive Officer (CEO) of QUINVITA, at Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants of the needs, opportunities and key is- the margins of the OECD West Africa Club are one of several renewable energy tech- sues within the sector. At the end of the Forum ‘West Africa and Brazil: Addressing nologies with significant potential to meet 6-year period, an independent external Renewable Energy Challenges’, held in part of future energy demand. It is the only evaluation will be carried out to assess Praia, Cape Verde, from 5–6 December solar-based technology capable of provid- the achievements of the centre based 2011. The strategic study will: ing utility scale electricity. West Africa has on the performance indicators set out • assess the potential for increased food several regions, such as the Sahel, with a in the business plan. These include the production and utilization of non-food/ promising solar resource potential for CSP number of additional people/institutions feed residue/waste for bioenergy pro- plants. The National Renewable Energy with access to modern energy services duction from selected food crops; Centre (CENER) is a public technology cen- through REⅇ the number of jobs • identify ‘go’ and ‘no-go’ regions for be- tre specializing in applied research and the created directly or indirectly during tween five and eight novel bioenergy development and promotion of renewable construction and operation of RE&EE crops within the 15 ECOWAS countries, energies. It is highly rated and receives na- projects; the volume of income and sav- taking into account available land for tional and international prestige. CENER ings generated by RE&EE projects; the agriculture, forestry and other environ- has a cutting-edge technological infrastruc- volume of GHG tons reduced through- mental impacts; ture, with the most modern laboratories and out the lifetime of installed RE&EE • identify three potential pilot projects for facilities in Europe. In May 2011, ECREEE projects; the volume of reduction of fuel specific regions in ECOWAS countries, visited the CENER facilities and signed a wood used for cooking through RE&EE with a potential for sustainable produc- memorandum of understanding (MoU). As projects; the rate of electricity access tion of 10,000–15,000 hectares of a a follow-up, CENER submitted a co-funded rates in rural areas in ECOWAS; and specific bioenergy crop; project proposal to conduct an analysis of the MW capacity installed in the region. • provide a sustainability assessment of CSP potential and feasibility in the ECOW- The budgetary requirement for the pe- potential projects, taking into considera- AS region. The assessment includes an riod is projected at €35m. The business tion social, economic and environmen- overview of the current CSP technologies plan is being reviewed by ECREEE’s tal aspects of bioenergy crops and their and trends, an evaluation of the solar po- partners, its National Focal Institutions integration with food production, social tential for CSP in the region, as well as a (NFIs), other relevant stakeholders and and environmental factors. pre-feasibility study of a CSP power plant the ECREEE Technical Committee, and All assessments will provide geographic to be constructed in the ECOWAS region. will be formally presented and approved information systems (GIS)-based data on The project started last December and is ex- at the next ECREEE Board Meeting in the whole ECOWAS region and will identify pected to be completed by the end of 2012. April 2012.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 5 12/04/05 12:01 | 6 | Volume 4 / 2012

Bridging the Gender Gap for Development Effectiveness in the Energy Sector: A Policy and Practitioners Meet

The ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, a partner to the ECREEE project on SEEA-WA, in collaboration with Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) organized a practitioners and policy meeting on ‘Bridging the Gender Gap for Development Effectiveness in the Energy Sector’. Adnan Z. Amin, Director - General of IRENA; Louis Seck, Minister of Renewable Energy This meeting brought together key players in the en- of Senegal; Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Executive Director at the signing of the MoU between IRENA and ECREEE. ergy sector, financial institutions, NGOs and development organizations such as the World Bank, and, of course, ECREEE. The purpose of the meeting was to inform policymakers ECREEE and IRENA and development partners on strategies to integrate gen- der concerns into energy policies and programmes in a sign MoU and Commence more systematic and cost-effective manner. The meeting encouraged an exchange of knowledge and experiences the implementation of Joint regarding the formulation, implementation and monitoring of gender-sensitive energy policies and programmes, and also demonstrated how mainstreaming gender in energy Projects and Activities poverty eradication programmes raises the success bar of such developmental efforts. From its creation, the Interna- formation, capacity building, the The meeting, which was organized into five thematic tional Renewable Energy Agen- IRENA renewable energy readi- modules, covered issues on: engendering energy projects cy (IRENA) and ECREEE have ness assessment, the IRENA and programmes; gender in energy sector policies and in- been in permanent dialogue to renewable energy atlas, and stitutions; maximizing development effectiveness through define a partnership that will re- other joint activities. ECREEE synergizing efforts; financing and women’s entrepreneur- sult in enhanced action by IRE- is part of the end-users commu- ship; and networking and capacity building. NA in West Africa, as well as in- nity and future data provider for Clearly, improving energy access for development ne- ternational support for ECREEE the IRENA Renewable Energy cessitates that gender differences, and associated social activities for the deployment of Atlas. The Renewable Energy roles, can be considered within programme designs to renewable energy in the region. Readiness Assessment (RRA) ensure that equal opportunities can be provided for elimi- At the margins of the opening of will be scaled up to cover the nating energy poverty. These lessons are particularly im- the IRENA Innovation and Tech- entire ECOWAS region; there portant to the SEEA-WA project, which aims to overcome, nology Centre in October 2011 will be joint action concerning among other things, gender-related barriers hindering the in Bonn, both institutions signed capacity building activities; an acceptance/adoption of energy-saving measures among an MoU. It was agreed to coop- assessment on RE costs and the rural and urban poor. ECREEE, a partner to Energia in erate particularly in the areas of scenarios for West Africa will the SEEA-WA project participated in this workshop. exchange of knowledge and in- also be provided.

On-line Course on Renewable Energy Technologies and Management

Between October and December 2011, the Economic nological Research (CIEMAT), a public research agency for and Technological Development Distance Learning Centre excellence in energy and the environment. The course was (CEDDET) Foundation, with the support of ECREEE, ex- taught in French and 18 institutions from different ECOWAS ecuted the second edition of the on-line course ‘Manage- countries participated. In 2012, organization of a new edition ment of Renewable Energy Technologies: Trends and Pros- is expected and ECREEE will review the contents as well as pects’. The on-line course was organized for civil servants disseminate the launching of the course. The CEDDET Foun- and decision makers from African Ministries of Energy and dation is a non-profit entity fostering cooperation, created in Environment. The instructors for the course were provided 2001 as a joint initiative between the Spanish Ministry of by the Center for Energy-related, Environmental and Tech- Economy and Finance and the World Bank.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 6 12/04/05 12:01 | 7 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE HEADQUARTERS GOES GREEN: Installation of a 9.9 kW Roof-top PV System

The first private grid-connect- energy savings over its expected ed renewable energy household lifetime of 25 years. ECREEE will system has been commissioned buy less electricity from the grid under the new renewable energy and sell the excess electricity to law of Cape Verde. The PV sys- the grid. tem, which has been operatioal • The project investment is attrac- since November 2011, is a dem- tive and viable given the high elec- onstration project for the region tricity tariffs in Cape Verde (ex- and a showcase for a grid-con- ceeding 25 EUR/cents per kWh) nected PV system at the house- and the country’s significant solar hold or office level. Thanks to potentials. the new renewable energy (RE) • Henceforth, ECREEE will not law approved in Cape Verde in only save money, but will also January 2011, small producers Installation of the Solar PV system at ECREEE become energy self-sufficient. and consumers are now allowed to install Headquaters The system also includes a battery RE electricity systems for auto-consump- bank back-up to ensure energy secu- tion and may also feed any electricity sur- reduce reliance on fossil fuels, add to the rity for the office during power short- plus into the national electricity grid, thus diversification of current energy portfolio, ages, and for periods when the en- discounting the final electricity bill. This and help lessen the environmental foot- ergy produced by the PV system is RE incentive mechanism for households, print associated with electricity generation inadequate. commonly referred to as net metering, is and consumption. • Moreover, the system reduces green- already being implemented in some de- The ECREEE PV system therefore house gas (GHG) emissions and local veloped countries. demonstrates the social, economic and pollution through the substitution of die- Net metering laws encourage the in- environmental benefits of green energy: sel/heavy fuel based electricity genera- stallation and use of RE technologies, • The project will generate considerable tion with a cleaner source.

ECOWAS Delegation on a Renewable Energy Study Tour to Spain

ECREEE and the UNDP–Regional Environment Project organized a study tour on renewable energy in Spain from 14–18 November 2011. The activity was hosted there by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Develop- ment (AECID), CIEMAT and the Techno- logical Institute of Canary Islands (ITC). The study tour invited representatives from the following seven West African countries: Mauritania, Cape Verde, Si- erra Leone, Benin, Sao Tome, Mali and the Ivory Coast. The delegation also comprised a series of resource persons from USAID, the World Future Council and the West African Power Pool. This Participants at the Study Tour activity started in September with a pre- vious visit to Spain made by a Gambian delegation to visit wind energy technolo- cal frameworks at both national and local (in particular solar and wind power) is gies and to learn about the role of the level. The participants learnt how various managed within the national grid. A two- public sector in the deployment of re- forms of renewable energy resources are day field visit to renewable installations on newable energy. assessed, harvested and managed. The the Island of Gran Canaria was a highlight The visit provided a full understanding complementary role of public institutions of the week-long study tour. of Spain’s national policy to deploy renew- and the private sector was explained with UNDP and ECREEE will pursue the able energy across all its territories and in all necessary details. In particular, the collaboration and propose a coherent pro- particular the ingredients for an optimal whole delegation discovered how intermit- grammatic framework project to coordi- policy package on legal, fiscal and techni- tency of some renewable energy sources nate activities among countries.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 7 12/04/05 12:01 | 8 | Volume 4 / 2012

SWAC/OECD–ECREEE Forum Explore Renewable Energy Cooperation between West Africa and Brazil

The Sahel and West Africa Club the media – to discuss the renewable issues analysing the linkages between (SWAC/OECD), in collaboration with energy challenges within the context of bioenergy and food security were also ECREEE and the governments of South–South co-operation, in particular discussed. Cape Verde and Brazil, organized the with Brazil. The 2011 Forum also fol- Back to back to the forum, ECREEE Forum ‘West Africa and Brazil: Ad- lowed up on the July 2010 ECOWAS– held a meeting with the Brazilian delega- dressing Renewable Energy Challeng- Brazil Summit, where renewable en- tion to further discuss the partnership be- es’ from 5–6 December 2011 in Praia, ergy and ECOWAS–Brazil partnerships tween ECOWAS and Brazil in the field Cape Verde. were central topics of the discussions. of biofuels. The outcome of the meeting The forum brought together SWAC The forum focused on the relation- was an agreed MoU to be signed by both members and all stakeholders – public ship between ECOWAS and emerging parties in order to commence specific ac- and private sectors, civil society repre- partners, particularly with Brazil and its tivities that will boost the deployment of sentatives, development partners and experience in the biofuels area. Other biofuels in West Africa.

GIS Training on Mapping Quality Infrastructure in the ECOWAS Region

Towards the realization of the ECOWAS the various applications of the GIS tool for ECREEE is currently defining its end-user Observatory for Renewable Energy and En- mapping quality infrastructure and services requirements and technical specification for ergy Efficiency (EORE), ECREEE and the at country level, particularly focusing on re- implementation of the observatory. As a step International Centre for Science and High newable energy. on the path of its implementation, ECREEE Technology (ICS-UNIDO) jointly organized As part of the collaboration, mem- is also conducting a comprehensive renew- GIS training for mapping quality infrastruc- bers of ECREEE staff also participated able energy resource assessment for the ture in the ECOWAS region, from 28 No- in the fellowship programme organized ECOWAS region, which includes bioenergy, vember to 2 December 2011, at the School of by ICS-UNIDO in Trieste, Italy. In this wind and solar potential. ECREEE is also Tourism in Praia, Cape Verde. The training, programme, ICS supported the building building up cooperation among other local which was attended by various profession- up of capacity for mapping out renewable and international data providers to gain best als from ECOWAS member states, aimed at energy, and also the development of the experience and technical know-how on the contributing to their technical background in observatory framework. implementation of the observatory.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 8 12/04/05 12:01 | 9 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE Regional Workshop Adopts Road Map for a Regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Access Program

The Regional Workshop on ‘Accelerat- ing Universal Energy Access through the Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Ef- ficiency’ held from 24–26 October 2011, in Accra, Ghana. The workshop was jointly organized by the ECOWAS Regional Cen- tre for Renewable Energy and Energy Effi- ciency (ECREEE), UNDP and the Govern- ment of Ghana. Over 130 energy experts and public of- ficials from the ECOWAS region discussed and adopted a road map for a pro-active regional renewable energy and energy efficiency access programme. The pro- gramme will boost universal access by 2030 to modern, reliable and affordable L – R: Dr Johnson Boanuh, ECOWAS Director for Environment; Mr Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Executive energy services in rural and peri-urban ar- Director; Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Honourable Deputy Minister for Energy of Ghana; Mr. Akmel Prosper Akpa, Senior Adviser to the UNIDO Director-General; and Mr Aboubacar Oualy, Coordinator, representative of the eas in ECOWAS. The initiative contributes Regional Energy Programme of UNDP. to the objectives of the ECOWAS White Paper on Energy Access in Peri-urban and Rural Areas and the UN Goals for Univer- tion, education, health care, agricultural in his key note address, noted that the sal Energy Access by 2030. activities, job creation and household Government of Ghana was committed to The opening session of the workshop was energy. He also emphasized the market the objective that energy is a fundamen- presided by Alhaji. Inusah Fuseini, Honour- opportunities for the private sector in ru- tal right of all its citizens. This objective able Deputy Minister for Energy of Ghana. ral areas where only 8% of the population has led to a continuous review of govern- Others who delivered keynote addresses has access to modern energy services. ment policies and strategies, including include Dr Johnson Boanuh, representing Mr Aboubacar Oualy, Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Bill, with a view to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Regional Energy Programme of UNDP securing access to reliable and cheaper Mr Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director for Poverty Reduction. highlighted the sources of energy. He therefore called for of ECREEE, Mr Akmel Prosper Akpa, rep- progress achieved so far in the implemen- the active collaboration of governments, resenting the Director-General of UNIDO, tation of the ECOWAS White Paper on En- development partners, local communi- and Mr Aboubacar Oualy, Coordinator, rep- ergy Access in Peri-urban and Rural Areas. ties, private sector, utilities, agencies and resenting the Regional Energy Programme He highlighted the solid partnership with consumers in the task of financing ac- of UNDP. In their various speeches, the ECOWAS and the leading role of UNDP cess to modern energy to the poor. He speakers expressed their appreciation to in the implementation of the White Paper. therefore expressed confidence that the the Government of Ghana for hosting such He also reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment workshop will examine the prospects and an important workshop and also registered to contributing to the global agenda on ac- challenges of similar initiatives so as to their profound gratitude to the partners, cess to energy services and the 2012 Year draw best practices aimed at ensuring notably UNIDO, UNDP, Austria, Spain, the on Sustainable Energy for All. the international goals of universal ac- European Commission and USAID for sup- Mr Akmel Prosper Akpa, Senior Adviser cess to energy. porting the integration activities of ECOWAS to the Director-General of UNIDO, ex- The workshop also featured the launch and ECREEE. They stressed that the work- pressed his sincere gratitude to ECOWAS of three flagship ECREEE projects: shop will afford another unique opportunity for showing leadership in promoting renew- • the ‘Supporting Energy Efficiency to reflect on ways of finding lasting solutions able energy and energy efficiency. He ex- Project for Access in West Africa to the energy challenges currently plaguing plained that with the creation of ECREEE (SEEA-WA)’ supported by the Euro- the ECOWAS region. the first regional renewable energy promo- pean Commission; Mr Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Ex- tion agency of sub-Saharan Africa is fully • the ECOWAS Regional Policy on ecutive Director, called for urgent action operational. He assured the continued sup- Renewable Energy supported by the to provide access to electricity and mod- port of UNIDO to ECREEE and announced Africa–EU Renewable Energy Coop- ern cooking fuels in the rural areas of the support for the establishment of similar eration Programme; ECOWAS. He highlighted the crucial role centres in East and Southern Africa. • the ECOWAS Regional Wind and of decentralized clean energy solutions Alhaji. Inusah Fuseini, Honourable Solar Assessment supported by and mini-grids for rural income genera- Deputy Minister for Energy of Ghana, USAID.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 9 12/04/05 12:01 | 10 | Volume 4 / 2012

Official Launch of “Supporting Energy Efficiency for Access in West Africa (SEEA-WA)” Project

facilitate the adoption and implementation of RE&EE policies and related legal and regu- latory frameworks on national levels (e.g. EU Directive with binding renewable energy targets). It is acknowledged that supportive governmental policies play a key role for mobilizing resources and encouraging both local and foreign private sector investment in the renewable energy sector. The ECOWAS policy will set attainable minimum renewable energy targets at re- gional level harmonized with national tar- gets and will propose a portfolio of policy measures, laws, regulations and incen- tives to be implemented on national and L-R: Dr. Johnson Boanuh, of the ECOWAS Commission; Mr. Herve Delsol, European Delegation of Ghana; Mr. regional ECOWAS levels with both short- Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director, ECREEE; Ms. Hélène SABATHIÉ-AKONOR, ADEME; Mr. Mann Philip, term and long-term views. So far only a EU-Partnership Dialogue Facility; Mr. Mareva BERNARD-HERVE, AFD; and Mr. Charles Murphy of USAID few ECOWAS countries such as Cape Verde, Ghana and Senegal have adopted Technical and commercial losses in the ciency network of centres of excellence in a national policy for renewable energy. West African power sector (e.g. theft, illegal all ECOWAS member states. All member The draft policy document is expected operators) range from 20% to 35% in com- states have been requested to nominate to be validated by the ECOWAS member parison to 7% to 10% in North America and appropriate institutions. In addition, the states prior to its formal adoption by the Western Europe. It is estimated that around project will develop an ECOWAS Energy ECOWAS Energy Ministers in the third 30% of the total electricity supply in West Af- Efficiency Policy Paper which will include quarter of 2012. The French consultancy rica is consumed by the house-hold sector. ‘minimum performance standards’ and en- company IED – Innovation Energie Dével- The importation of low-quality appliances ergy efficiency labels, particularly for ap- oppement – was contracted by EUEI-PDF and unsustainable building practices are pliances (e.g. compact fluorescent lamps to assist ECREEE in the development of a major cause for peak loads, power cuts (CFLs), cooling/refrigeration equipment, the policy. and load shedding in urban centres. As the cooking stoves) and buildings. The project saying goes, the cheapest energy is the one will facilitate several training activities and a LAUNCH OF THE ECOWAS not consumed. Saving energy means sav- regional awareness campaign on the social, WIND AND SOLAR RESOURCES ing additional investments that could be re- economic and environmental benefits of ASSESSMENT directed to satisfy the energy service needs energy efficiency solutions and practices. It of peri-urban and rural areas. It is for this is envisaged that the ECOWAS Energy Ef- ECREEE has commenced a compre- reason that ECREEE in collaboration with ficiency Policy will be adopted by ECOWAS hensive renewable energy resource as- its partners, AEA, AERE and ENERGIA, energy ministers in the ECOWAS - Global sessment for the ECOWAS region cover- submitted a proposal to the second call of Forum for Sustainable Energy (GFSE) High ing solar, wind and bioenergy crops. This the ACP-EU Energy Facility in 2010. Level Forum which will take place from 8–11 is predicated on the need to ensure that The contract for the €2.3m project ‘Sup- October in Accra, Ghana. relevant renewable energy resources are porting Energy Efficiency for Access in West adequately documented and accessible Africa (SEEA-WA)’ was signed by the Eu- TOWARDS A REGIONAL POLICY to a wide array of stakeholders and in- ropean Commission and the ECOWAS FRAMEWORK FOR RENEWABLE vestors. In furtherance of this objective, Commission in August 2011. The project ENERGY IN WEST AFRICA ECREEE secured United States Agency is co-financed by the ECOWAS Commis- for International Development (USAID) sion, ADEME and the UNDP. It was officially The Regional Renewable Energy Pol- support for a wind and solar resource as- launched at the margins of the ECREEE icy for West Africa (RREP-WA) project sessment of the region to be executed by Workshop on ‘Accelerating Universal En- was launched in October 2011 under the Nexant Inc. in a two-phase approach. The ergy Access through the Use of Renewable auspices of the Renewable Energy Coop- first phase of the resource assessment, Energy and Energy Efficiency’ held from eration Program (RECP) of the Africa–EU which is ongoing, consists of mapping the 24–26 October 2011 in Accra, Ghana. Energy Partnership. Supported by the wind and solar resources, development The SEEA-WA project aims to create an Partnership Dialogue Facility of the EU of a database of the findings and devel- enabling environment for energy efficiency Energy Initiative (EUEI-PDF), the project opment of tools to analyse the data. It technologies and solutions by mitigating aims at developing a coherent and achiev- includes the development of a database various existing barriers such as policy, able renewable energy policy framework of promising grid-connected investment technical, financial, legal, institutional and for the ECOWAS region. locations for further analysis. The second capacity related. The project foresees the The experience of the EU has shown that phase will focus on project support aimed establishment of a regional energy effi- regional integration can be a useful tool to at bringing selected projects to closure.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 10 12/04/05 12:01 | 11 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE Train-the-Trainers Workshop on GIS energy planning and RETScreen in Accra, Ghana

versities that the workshop will lead to con- crete follow-up activities in their respective countries in 2012. The workshop opened with a two-day training on an energy access planning toolkit developed by TEC-KNUST in cooperation with Columbia University. The toolkit was successfully applied in Ghana and provided a comprehensive planning database on the status of electrification in the country. An integrated network planner proposed least- cost electrification options for unserved set- tlements in peri-urban and rural areas. De- pending on proximity to the central grid the planner proposes grid extension or off-grid electrification options. All data generated Participants at the training by the toolkit are GIS based and can be ac- cessed through interactive maps. The toolkit is of high relevance for energy planners in The ECOWAS Regional Centre, welcomed participants to the city of Ku- other ECOWAS countries with low electricity ECREEE, and the Technology Energy masi and expressed his sincere gratitude access rates. Centre (TEC) of Kwame Nkrumah Univer- to ECREEE and all supporters for making sity of Science and Technology (KNUST) the workshop a reality. He re-emphasized in cooperation with UNIDO organized a TEC-KNUST’s commitment to serving as a regional training workshop on energy ac- centre of excellence for sustainable energy cess planning and financial analysis of issues in the West African region. In his renewable energy and energy efficiency opening speech, Mr Ibrahim Soumaila, en- The other three days of the workshop projects. The workshop was held from ergy efficiency expert at the ECREEE Sec- focused on the technical and financial 22–26 August 2011 in Kumasi, Ghana and retariat, stressed the importance of energy structuring of renewable energy and energy was attended by around 50 professionals planning tools to boost rural electrification efficiency projects. The lack of knowledge from energy ministries and universities of and the dissemination of renewable energy of local banks, investors, developers, plan- all 15 ECOWAS countries. The workshop and energy efficiency technologies. He an- ners and policymakers on how to assess was also supported by the EU-Partnership nounced that ECREEE would take the lead the technical and financial feasibility of such Dialogue Facility (EU-PDF). in the establishment of a regional train-the- projects is a major barrier to green invest- In his welcome address, Prof. Abeeku trainers network for green energy planning ment in the ECOWAS region. The partici- Brew-Hammond, Director of TEC-KNUST, tools. He reminded participants from uni- pants were introduced to the RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software. The software gives energy experts the opportunity to design and analyse green ECREEE launches Renewable Energy and projects technically and financially. The West African participants were introduced Energy Efficiency Project Map for West Africa to the different modules of the program which supports all major renewable en- forthcoming months the partners will ergy and energy efficiency solutions and provides access to important climate data integrate relevant GIS data into existing such as solar radiation, wind speeds, etc. RE&EE programmes and projects in the The participants made their own calcula- ECOWAS region. This also includes the tions and gave estimations for the energy ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility production savings and financial viability of ECREEE and the association re- (EREF) projects and the energy com- case studies on their home countries. The powermap (web portal http://www. ponent of GEF West Africa Program training concluded with an exam on the last repowermap.org), based in Switzer- (SPWA). Moreover, the map will pro- day of the workshop. In 2012 the partici- land, agreed on cooperation regarding vide an overview of RE&EE key stake- pants will organize national follow-up train- the GIS mapping of renewable energy holders in the ECOWAS region (univer- ings on RETScreen. The training sessions and energy efficiency programmes and sities, companies, ministries, including will be conducted by trainers certified in the projects in West Africa. The GIS map is contact data). The map is seen as a first regional training. The ECREEE RETScreen available on the ECREEE website (web step in the process of establishing the training schedule is available at web portal portal http://www.ecreee.org). In the ECOWAS Observatory, EORE. http://retscreen.ecreee.org.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 11 12/04/05 12:01 | 12 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE at the Vienna Energy Forum

— 21-23 June 2011, Vienna Austria

ECREEE organized an information booth at the Vienna Energy Forum 2011, which was held from 21–23 June 2011 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria. The forum, which focused on the theme ‘En- ergy for All – Time for Action’, facilitated an international dialogue on providing uni- Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California; and Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO DG speaking at the Forum. versal energy access and on the multiple co-benefits of increasing energy efficiency. • prioritizing key national and regional ac- ‘Energy Freedom’, adding that universal Organized jointly by UNIDO, the Austrian tions on energy access and energy ef- energy access was not ‘just about lighting Federal Ministry for European and Interna- ficiency; a dark room, or cooking on a better stove. tional Affairs, and the International Institute • presentation of results from the Global It’s about the freedom that energy – and of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Energy Assessment coordinated by especially renewable energy – gives us’. forum will be a regular event held every two IIASA. The Director General of UNIDO, Kan- years. Core themes that were addressed at The forum attracted over 1000 par- deh K. Yumkella, Chair of UN-Energy, the conference included: ticipants from around the world including emphasised that access to modern en- • agreement on a common understand- heads of state and their ex-counterparts, ergy services is at the core of our eco- ing of energy access; ministers, policymakers, experts, and nomic development challenges, adding • agreement on a strategy to ensure representatives of civil society and the that ‘without access to modern forms universal access to modern energy private sector, to discuss how to over- of energy it is highly unlikely that any services and to increase energy effi- come energy poverty and how to move of the objectives of the Millennium De- ciency by reducing energy intensity by from declarations of intention to tangible velopment Goals will be achieved’. The 40% until 2030; action on the ground. Speaking at the conference report and documentary are • identifying indicative targets and poli- event, the ex-Governor of California Ar- available at web portal http://www.unido. cies in support of these objectives; nold Schwarzenegger said it was time for org/index.php?id=1001185.

Second Coordination Meeting with the ECREEE NFIs, in Kumasi, Ghana

The second ECREEE coordi- nation meeting with the National Focal Institutions (NFIs) took place in Kumasi, Ghana, on 27 August 2011. During the meet- ing the 2012 work plan, the 2011 status report, the ECREEE Busi- ness Plan, the ECOWAS Re- newable Energy Facility (EREF), the ECOWAS Renewable En- ergy Observatory (EREO) and the SEEA-WA project were dis- ECREEE staff and NFIs cussed.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 12 12/04/05 12:02 | 13 | Volume 4 / 2012

Third Executive Board Meeting

The Third Meeting of the Execu- within the relatively short period tive Board of ECREEE was con- of its existence. While thanking vened on Wednesday 6 July 2011 the partners for their support for in Accra, Ghana to among other the Centre, he urged the Board matters, review the implementa- to provide useful and constructive tion of the ECREEE 2011 Work recommendations for it. Plan; discuss and adopt the au- The meeting was attended dited financial report of ECREEE by all members of the ECREEE for the year 2010; and also assess Board, including Mr Celestin Ta- the performance of the Executive laki, ECOWAS Commissioner for Director. Infrastructure and Chairman of the Ms Sherry Ayittey, the Honour- Board; Dr Ada Okwuosa, ECOW- able Minister of the Environment, AS Commissioner for Administra- Science and Technology of Ghana, tion and Finance; Hon. Sherry in her welcome address, thanked ECREEE Executive Board Members Ayittey, Minister for Environment, the ECOWAS Commission for Science and Technology of Ghana; nominating her to serve on the ECREEE and wished all the participants a pleasant Amadou Diallo, Secretary General of the Board. She noted that this would enable and fruitful stay in Ghana. West Africa Power Pool (WAPP); Roger her to bring on board the views of the Afri- H.E. James Gbeho, the President of Laloupo, ECOWAS Director for Legal Af- can Environment Ministers. She enjoined the ECOWAS Commission, in his open- fairs; representative of the Minister for ECREEE to support member states to de- ing address, noted that the meeting was Power of Nigeria; representatives of AE- velop renewable energy projects and ac- symbolic, given that it is the first year an- CID; representative of the Austrian Devel- cess appropriate technology. The Minister niversary of the Centre, and expressed opment Agency (ADA); representative of also expressed appreciation for the choice the ECOWAS Commission’s pride in the UNIDO; and Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE of Accra as the host city for the meeting achievements the Centre had recorded Executive Director.

Fourth Executive Board and Second Technical Committee Meeting of ECREEE — 20–21 October 2011, Benin

The Fourth Meeting of the Board of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) convened on Friday 21 October 2011 at the Secretariat of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) Secretariat, in Cotonou, Benin to, amongst others, approve the ECREEE 2012 Work Plan, as well as the ECREEE Business Plan 2011 – 2016. The meeting was preceded by the Second Meeting of the ECREEE Technical Committee on the 20th of October 2011. The Board and the Technical Committee commended ECREEE on the implementation of the 2011 Work Plan, in- cluding the launch of new programmes and projects. They also reviewed and approved the ECREEE 2012 Work Plan and budget. In the 2012 work plan, ECREEE intends to im- plement 86 activities which will contribute to the achievement of the impact performance indicators of the six result areas in the ECREEE log frame. These activities are implemented throughout the six result areas of ECREEE: • RESULT AREA 1: Effective regional RE&EE promotion agency created and efficiently managed; • RESULT AREA 2: Funds for RE&EE programmes and projects mobilized and implemented; • RESULT AREA 3: Tailored policy, legal and regulatory frame- works created and implemented; • RESULT AREA 4: Capacities are strengthened and applied; • RESULT AREA 5: Knowledge base, awareness raising and advocacy strengthened; ECREEE Executive Board and Technical Committee Members • RESULT AREA 6: Business and investment promotion.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 13 12/04/05 12:02 | 14 | Volume 4 / 2012

ECREEE becomes an implementing First Call of the ECOWAS agency for two UNIDO-GEF projects worth 9,3 million USD Renewable Energy Facility (EREF)

The first call for proposals of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facili­ty (EREF) for peri-urban and rural areas was opened from 31 May to 31 July 2011. ECREEE received 166 concept notes with a grant request of around 8 million EUR. Including the indicated co-funding in the proposals the total ECREEE was accepted as an imple- volume of the projects amounts to menting agency for two GEF projects to around 16 million EUR. The large at- be executed under the SPWA. Both ap- tendance reflects the high demand for proved projects are coordinated by UNIDO sustainable rural energy solutions in and have an overall volume of more than the ECOWAS region. US$9.3m. The project ‘Promoting Coordi- The most active countries were nation, Coherence and Knowledge Man- Ni ­geria, Senegal, Ghana and Cape agement under the Energy Component Verde. Over 70% of the proposals of the GEF Strategic Program for West were submitted by applicants from Africa (SPWA)’ has an overall volume the private sector (e.g. companies of US$1.6m and will be implemented by and NGOs). 82% of the proposal were UNIDO and ECREEE between 2011 and submitted under the financing window 2014. The approved GEF grant amounts overall volume of US$7.7m and will be investment promotion and 18% under to US$0.7m. The aim of the project is to implemented by UNIDO, ECREEE and the window of business development. create synergies and spillover effects be- the Government of Cape Verde between Over 50% of the projects focused on tween the various energy projects imple- 2012 and 2015. The total GEF grant solar (PV, CSP and solar thermal) mented under the SPWA in all 15 ECOW- amounts to around US$1.8m. The project as well as bioenergy solutions (par- AS countries and additionally in Burundi, aims to promote viable, market-based ticularly biogas and improved stoves). Chad and Mauritania. The project fore- small- to medium-scale renewable ener- Small scale hydro power and wind sees the establishment of a high level gy systems in the country. It refers to the power got only a minor attention. SPWA Steering Committee. ambitious Cape Verdean Government’s ECREEE selected 55 concept notes To boost knowledge management, net- plan to reduce the country’s dependence (around 40% of eligible concept notes) working, advocacy and the strengthening on imported fossil fuels and reduce GHG and invited the successful applicants to of capacities on RE&EE in the ECOWAS emissions, through increased energy present a full project proposal at latest region, the GEF project foresees the es- production from renewable resources. by 29 February 2012. The technical ap- tablishment of a web-based energy com- Through private-sector investment and praisal of the concept notes was done munity portal and observatory for RE&EE. government-supported projects, Cape according to the established evaluation Both tools will be managed and regularly Verde achieved its target of generating criteria: relevance, impact, effective- updated by expert ECREEE staff. The es- at least 25% of its electricity from renew- ness, feasibility and efficiency, as well tablishment of the observatory is also sup- able sources by the year 2011 and aims as sustainability. Each project was ap- ported by the Austrian Development Co- to achieve 50% by the year 2020. Moreo- praised by ECREEE and an external operation (ADC) and AECID. The tools will ver, it is the intention to produce 100% evaluation consultant. In each ECOWAS provide and disseminate updated RE&EE of the electricity on the island of Brava country the projects with the high- market information/data on resources, from renewable sources. The specific ob- est evaluation scores were selected. GIS maps, national policies, projects, fi- jective of the GEF project is to develop ECREEE tried to keep a balance be- nancial and tender possibilities, as well as a market environment that will promote tween the size and needs of the coun- key stakeholders in the ECOWAS region. investments in small- to medium-scale tries and different RE&EE technology The results and deliverables of all projects renewable energy systems. In this regard solutions. implemented under the GEF–SPWA will the project will focus on activities under The EREF was highly welcomed be disseminated through the observatory. the following components: (1) imple- on international levels and the It is envisaged that the Observatory will be mentation of demonstration projects on ECOWAS region. The EREF will be launched in the ECOWAS–GFSE–GEF different islands in the areas of PV, so- also presented by ECOWAS at the High Level Forum from 8–11 October in lar thermal energy and wind power; (2) forthcoming UN Conferences related Accra, Ghana. development of a policy and regulatory to the 2012 Year of Sustainable En- The second approved GEF project frameworks for small-scale solutions; (3) ergy for All. A detailed report on the ‘Promoting Market-based Development capacity building and awareness raising. first call for proposals as well as the of Small to Medium Scale Renewable A project manager will be appointed and trilingual EREF guidelines are avail- Energy Systems in Cape Verde’ has an work from the ECREEE office. able at: http://eref.ecreee.org.

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 14 12/04/05 12:02 | 15 | Volume 4 / 2012 First Call of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility (EREF)

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 15 12/04/05 12:02 | 16 | Volume 4 / 2012

Regional Seminar for West ECREEE–AREA African Policymakers, Conference on Renewable — 15–17 June 2011, Energy and Gender Canary Islands, Spain AREA held its third international conference on Renewable Energy & Gender in cooperation with ECREEE from 27 June ECREEE, in collaboration with ITC and with the sup- to 1 July 2011, at the NICON Hilton Hotel, in Abuja, Nigeria. port of AECID, organized a Regional Seminar on the In- The energy–gender nexus is considered an important work- tegration of Renewable Energy into the Energy Systems ing field of ECREEE. Due to their local availability renewable of the ECOWAS Region. The workshop took place from energies play an important role in satisfying household energy 15–17 June in the Canary Islands. The seminar brought requirements. The conference brought together policymakers together key decision makers and chief executives of the and representatives from business and civil society, to facili- utilities of ECOWAS member states and experts from dif- tate a pan-African information exchange. The participants ex- ferent Spanish institutions. The objective of the seminar changed ideas on policies, technologies and financial mecha- was to discuss the experience of the Canary Islands in nisms for the deployment of renewable energies in Africa, in electrical grid planning and the challenge posed by high consideration of the fact that gender is a main determinant that penetration of renewable energies in the electricity sys- defines access, ways of utilization, opportunities and control tem. The seminar also critically assessed the readiness over all energy resources. As renewable energy could be a of ECOWAS countries for the integration of renewable tool for gender equality and the empowerment of women, gen- energies into national electricity grids. The workshop der perspectives are a critical component of policymaking at all concluded with site visits to renewable energy installa- levels. Presentations from the conference can be downloaded tions and control centres. from the ECREEE website, web portal http://www.ecreee.org.

Upcoming ECREEE events in 2012 Procurement and Recruitments

19 to 22 March 2012, Bamako, Mali ECOWAS Regional Bioenergy Forum Deadline for submission of bids: 27 April 2012 Design, development and testing of the web based com- munity portal and Observatory for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE

9 to 12 April 2012, Praia, Cape Verde ECREEEE Training for National Renewable Energy Policy and Incentives Schemes and Global Energy Transformation Pathways and Policy Tools

16 to 20 April 2012, Monrovia, Liberia Regional Workshop on Small Scale Hydro supported by

08 to 10 Oct 2012, Accra, Ghana ECOWAS-GFSE-GEF High Level Forum ECREEE Secretariat • Achada de Santo António Edifício da ELECTRA, 2° andar 11 to 12 Oct 2012, Accra, Ghana First International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference, C.P. 288, Praia, Cabo Verde IRENA-ARE-ECREEE Tel: +238 2604630, +238 2624608 E-mail: [email protected] • Skype: info-ecreee Web: www.ecreee.org

Newsletter ECREEE.indd 16 12/04/05 12:02