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The Technical Committee of ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) Thursday 24th January 2019 held a consultative meeting at the Praiamar hotel, in Praia, Cabo Verde. The ninth technical convergence of the committee was chaired by the Director of finance of the ECOWAS Commission who also doubles as the chairman of the technical committee. The meeting discussed ways and means of promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the ECOWAS community, while consolidating the gains made in the sector.
The gathering also discussed the draft report on the implementation of ECREEE’s 2018 work programme, the draft ECREEE 2019 work-plan and related budget, as well as potential new cooperation possibilities with UNIDO in the areas of energy, climate change and environment. The status of the ECREEE-EU-Senegal rural electrification project and the report of the technical committee were also tabled before participants.
According to the budget execution report, ECREEE received only $10,187,471.26 out of the $15,345,221 budgeted for year 2018 and that 72% of the received funds has been executed. Meanwhile, the ECREEE 2019 Work-plan mainly centered on three priority areas including Renewable energy, energy efficiency and crosscutting. The work plan has an overall indicative budget need of $15,350,389.34 for both operational and administrative costs.
Participants recommend to the ECREEE Board the adoption of the ECREEE 2018 work programme and budget implementation Report and the Centre’s 2019 work plan and budget of USD 15,350,389.34.
Speaking at the forum, the Executive Director of ECREEE, Mahama Kappiah described 2018 as an “exciting year for ECREEE”, citing the commencement of the implementation of the Centre’s 2017 – 2021 strategic plan. He said six projects aimed at providing renewable energy in remote communities have been fully executed by the GEF Cape Verde project. The year under review also saw the initiation of a solar thermal project, rehabilitation of a 900 KW wind farm and the installation of two PV parks for water pumping stations in Cabo Verde, he noted.
The ECREEE Executive Director further noted with gratitude the successful installation of mini-grids in 21 Senegalese villages through the EU Energy Facility. This forms part of 8 million Euro grant project designed to provide clean energy mini-grids for 40 communities in Senegal. “The West Africa Clean Energy Corridor saw the commencement of the development of strategies for the solar hydro and wind energy corridors”, he added. Mr. Kappiah further noted that upon completion, the corridor programme will lead to the development of utility scale renewable energy-based power and integration of renewable energy sources into the West African power systems.
In his welcome remarks, the Director of finance of the ECOWAS Commission who also doubles as the chairman of the technical committee said the meeting was held at a crucial time in the ECOWAS transformation agenda.
He said ECOWAS is currently implementing institutional reforms amongst them is the alignment of the sub-regional body’s administrative and financial management systems to international best standards. “The process will continue to be enhanced in the first quarter of 2019 with the finalization of the new staff regulation and the ECOlink project”, he said. The Director of Finance said ECREEE continues to be a leader in mobilization of funds within the ECOWAS community and that the ECOWAS Commission is proud of the confidence it continues to enjoy from partners.
The UNIDO representative informed the meeting that with financial support from the ADA a new capacity building programme aimed at strengthening the administrative and technical competences of ECREEE has been launched.
The ECREEE officials commended partners for their continued support and cooperation. These include, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Australian Development Agency (ADA) and the United Nations Industrial Development organization. They also thanked the government and people of Cabo Verde for the warm hospitality.