BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has called for the collaboration of ECOWAS member states towards attaining the scale of resources required to meet growing regional electricity demands.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly made the call while presiding over the 19th Session of WAPP General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, over the weekend.
The Minister who on the theme “Advancing the Regional Electricity Market: Overcoming Barriers and Building a Resilient Competitive Power Market”, emphasized that access to electricity is a fundamental right and a vital necessity.
“We must work together, pooling our financial and natural resources to make it work,” he said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, by the General Manager, Public Affairs of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the Minister stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation, describing energy as a resource that transcends barriers.
Mr. Coulibaly commended WAPP for its vital role in promoting regional integration and reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to advancing energy production and sharing to support the ECOWAS community’s growing electricity needs.
Speaking at the event, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Sediko Douka, provided an overview of ongoing efforts to enhance the electricity sector. He underscored the importance of robust institutional and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and improved energy access.
He noted that challenges such as the demand-supply deficit and low electricity access remain critical barriers to the sector’s progress.
Mr. Douka commended the progress made through the ECOWAS Master Plans for Electricity Generation and Transmission and highlighted the successful interconnection of 14 out of 15 ECOWAS countries and the near-completion of network synchronization. These efforts, he noted, are pivotal in establishing a reliable and cost-effective energy supply.
He announced that final approvals for the WAPP Network Code and the Methodology for Regional Transmission Tariffs are expected by the end of the year, laying the foundation for the second phase of the regional electricity market.
The Chairman of WAPP, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, while reaffirming the commitment of member utilities to the organization’s vision, announced the appointment of Mr. Abdoulaye Dia from Senegal as the new Secretary General, beginning a three-year renewable term, and also welcomed eight new power utility members to the General Assembly.
Abdulaziz underscored the critical role of WAPP in fostering regional energy security, highlighting the advancements in interconnection and synchronization efforts, bringing the region closer to a fully integrated electricity market.
He further highlighted ongoing projects such as the development of additional cross-border transmission lines and initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of the electricity grid.
Abdulaziz stressed that the realization of WAPP’s goals requires a united front among member states, utilities, and partners, calling for continued collaboration to address emerging challenges and unlock the full potential of the regional electricity market.
Earlier, the Acting Secretary General of the WAPP, Engr. Nazif Abdukadir, presented key achievements, including the operationalization of the Regional Market Information and Coordination Center (ICC) and the commissioning of the CLSG and OMVG transmission lines, which now interconnect all 14 mainland ECOWAS countries. He also highlighted the successful pilot phase of the Regional Electricity Market and ongoing preparations for the second phase, which will integrate financial transactions and settlement systems.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Technical and Financial Partners of WAPP, Mrs. Clara Winkler-Tomety, the Deputy Director of KfW in Abidjan, acknowledged the region’s challenges in establishing a competitive electricity market. She emphasized the importance of adopting environmentally sustainable strategies and commended WAPP for laying a strong foundation for regional energy integration and emphasized the collective commitment of WAPP’s Technical and Financial Partners to continue their partnership with WAPP.