By Stella Odueme
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has opened its 16th Meeting of Ministers in charge of Energy in Accra, Ghana, to consider new regulatory measures aimed at strengthening the regional electricity market.
The one-day meeting, brought together energy ministers and representatives from ECOWAS member states, the ECOWAS Commission and its institutions, as well as the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
According to a statement on Friday, the ministers are expected to consider two major regulatory instruments: a draft directive on the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other energy storage technologies, and a draft regulation to amend the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market Levy under Regulation C/REG.14/12/23.
The meeting will also consider five memoranda submitted for the ministers' information. The proposed instruments and memoranda were reviewed by ECOWAS energy experts during a meeting.
Speaking at the opening, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Amin Amidu Sulemani, expressed confidence that decisions informed by expert recommendations would promote renewable energy development and strengthen the capacity of regional institutions to fulfil their responsibilities.
Ghana's Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who declared the meeting open, stressed the need for a regional electricity market supported by clear regulations, investment-friendly policies and reliable infrastructure.
He also underscored the importance of ensuring that the benefits of regional energy cooperation reach all ECOWAS member states.