In line with the objectives of the Programme, IRENA provides a team of around 20 national energy sector staff (the national ‘working team’) with the means and tools for working with energy sector data, designing energy planning scenarios and developing a comprehensive national energy masterplan document.

The Programme consists of a series of four training courses. This includes training on MESSAGE software, the IRENA System Planning Test (SPLAT) model, data management, scenario design and masterplan development. The Programme also engages with national energy sector decision-makers to ensure that results can be adequately translated into policy and implementation. For details on the specific activities and training courses under the national Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme:

• Scoping mission and online MESSAGE training course
• Energy Planning Capacity Building Sierra Leone - National training course 1: Model Development
• Energy Planning Capacity Building Sierra Leone - National training course 2: Scenario Development
• Energy Planning Capacity Building Sierra Leone - National training course 3: Masterplan Development

From April 2016 to October 2018, IRENA provided energy planning support to Estwatini, including trainings on the System Planning Test (SPLAT) least-cost optimization model, data management and scenario development. Based on the trainings, the national experts formed a national Working Team, and applied energy planning tools for both energy demand and supply for preparation of a national energy masterplan. The process of developing the energy masterplan was supported by IRENA as needed. The draft masterplan was presented and discussed at a national stakeholder workshop in 2017. The Energy Masterplan 2034 was approved by cabinet and formally launched on 25 October 2018. For details on the national energy planning support programme:

• IRENA-Swaziland Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme: Scenario Building
• IRENA-Swaziland Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme: Masterplan Development
• IRENA-Swaziland Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme: Consultation Workshop
• IRENA-Eswatini Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme: Masterplan 2034 Launch

Supported by IRENA, the Cameroon working team will prepare the SPLAT model for Cameroon (SPLAT-CM) and develop the draft national renewable energy master plan for the electricity sector.

The programme consists of an e-learning course for IAEA’s capacity expansion planning tool MESSAGE, three remote training workshops and on-request tutoring support. To engage with national decision-makers and public, the Programme also entails a public workshop at the end that aims to disseminate the results, discuss stakeholder feedback and the way forward.