
The West African region has a vast renewable energy potential sufficient to cover unmet power demand and achieve universal access to electricity while supporting the region’s transition to a low-carbon growth path. In July 2013 the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP); this aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the region’s overall electricity mix to 35% in 2020 and 48% in 2030 (to 10% and 19%, respectively, excluding large hydro). Complementing the EREP is the ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), which aims to make available 2000 megawatts of power generation capacity through efficiency gains and ultimately double the rate of improvements in energy efficiency.
To support the creation of a regional power market, IRENA, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), West African Power Pool (WAPP), and ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), has initiated the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor (WACEC) initiative. Building on existing efforts in the region, including those of UEMOA, AfDB and other development partners such as GIZ and USAID, the WACEC will promote the development and integration of utility-scale renewable power in West African power systems.
Endorsed by the ECOWAS Energy Ministerial in December 2016 and building on the experience of the ACEC, the WACEC’s implementation plan is built on five key foundations:
The report on Scaling up renewable energy deployment in Africa summarises the impact of IRENA's engagement with the continent.
Regional Virtual Workshop On Grid Integration of Variable Renewable Energy
27 October 2020 | Virtual Event
IRENA in collaboration with Regional Operating Entity (EOR) and the German Agency for International...
Grid Integration workshop on Advanced Modelling for Renewables in PSS/E for Power System Studies
10 December 2019 | San Salvador, El Salvador
Grid Integration workshop on Advanced Modelling for Renewables in PSS/E for Power System Studies as...