Renewable energies in the ECOWAS region: The Egyptian Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) is holding the eleventh meeting of its pivotal institutions in Niamey

The ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has been taking place since yesterday morning in Niamey, works 11^y National coordinating institutions meeting. This meeting, which will last for five (5) days, aims to strengthen the framework of cooperation between the center and its local partners, by identifying the support needs of countries, and facilitating the implementation of various programs and projects in member states.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mr. Bala Muhammed Rabiot, urged the participants to pay special attention to all topics on the agenda of the workshop. This, he said, is to take advantage of past experiences and “set up a new framework for cooperation with ECREEE for better implementation of future actions needed to develop large-scale sustainable energy infrastructure in the region.”

For his part, the Executive Director of the Egyptian Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Mr. Sempour Francis, referred to Niger’s leadership in promoting sustainable energy in West Africa. He cited, as proof, the state’s inauguration on July 5, 2023 of the Guru Panda solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 30 megawatts, as well as its pioneering role in promoting green hydrogen. The ECREEE Executive Director then informed that during this meeting, a series of presentations will be made on several topics including the 2022 Activity Report, the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and the 2023 Action Plan. 11^y The meeting of the center and its pivotal national institutions also aims to approve annual reports on progress made in the fields of renewable energies and energy efficiency for the years 2021 and 2022.

ECOWAS Resident Representative in Niger, Mr. Ghnamian Ndre Guillaume, congratulated ECREEE and its partners as well as all stakeholders on the successful launch and operationalization of the green hydrogen policy adopted on July 7, 2023 in Guinea-Bissau. “I encourage you in this dynamism and urge you for the successful implementation of all regional sustainable energy policies that must translate into sustainable infrastructure projects as well as better management of the energy sector in West Africa,” he continued. Mr. Gnamien Ndri Guillaume called on the participants for the successful implementation of the strategic plan which is part of the ECOWAS 2050 vision and which is in line with the 4×4 objectives of the ECOWAS Commission.

The representative of GIZ Niger, Mr. Brahim Soumila, co-organizer of the meeting, confirmed the readiness of GIZ to support the ECOWAS institutions, including ECREEE in improving energy governance in general and in implementing various green hydrogen policies. It also encouraged ECOWAS and its specialized agencies “to persevere in implementing high-quality, climate-friendly energy plans and programs for the economic and social development of the populations of the ECOWAS region.”

At the end of the official opening ceremony, the Executive Director of the Centre, Mr. Sempori Francis, and the Coordinator of the Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen (WASCA) Project, Dr. Korgo Bruno, hosted a press conference during which they announced the adoption of the green hydrogen policy on July 7.

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