- The talks were on critical issues relating to the development of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, particularly the launch of the second phase of the market.
- Following reports from the meeting, both institutions agreed that the sustainability of the financing of ERERA’s activities would depend on the funding from the regional power market.
On Wednesday, a six-member delegation of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) headed by its Chairman, Mr Kocou Laurent Tossou, held talks with representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Accra. The talks were on critical issues relating to the development of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, particularly the launch of the second phase of the market.
A statement issued in Accra by ERERA said one of the key issues discussed at the meeting was the development, approval, and operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Grid Code, which was required for the proper functioning of the second and competitive phase of the electricity market. It said the discussions were held during the ERERA delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Director of USAID’s Regional Economic Growth, Mr Matthew Anderson.
Other issues discussed included the finalization of the ECOWAS Regional Transmission Tariff, ERERA’s strategic plan for the next four years, the sustainable funding of ERERA’s activities, and ERERA’s partnership with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The USAID is one of ERERA’s strategic partners and has supported the regional regulator in its electricity market development activities. Following reports from the meeting, both institutions agreed that the sustainability of the financing of ERERA’s activities would depend on the funding from the regional power market.