ERERA Prepares Communication Experts for ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market

ERERA is organizing a workshop for communication experts from the national electricity regulatory authorities in ECOWAS Member States, as part of preparations for the imminent launch of the second, phase of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market.

The workshop, which will hold from June 20 to 24, 2022 in Koforidua, Ghana, is part of a series of activities by ERERA to enhance the capacity of stakeholders with regards to key regulatory instruments, strategies and mechanisms to help ensure the successful operations of the power market, and of the electricity sector in general.

Participants will be treated to presentations including an update on the Directive on the Organization of the Regional Electricity Market, which was signed in June 2013 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Directive deals with the harmonization of contractual arrangements relating to cross-border electricity exchanges for the import and export of electricity. Among others, it also provides for open access to the regional transmission network and access by eligible customers.

Participants will also be introduced to the “Draft Directive for Harmonization of Criteria for the Granting of Licenses and for Authorization to Participate in the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market”.

The document seeks to develop a harmonized procedure for granting Licenses and Authorizations for participation in the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, set out procedures for the grant of Import and Export licenses for cross-border power trading among ECOWAS Member States, as well as create model import and export licenses to be adopted by Member States.

Among others, participants will be briefed on the roles of key actors in the development of the electricity market and will also receive updates on the conditions precedent for the launch of the second phase of the regional power market.

The communication experts, who are also members of ERERA Communication Specialists Network, serve as strong collaborators with ERERA in enhancing the visibility of the development of the regional power market.