- GE Vernova has deployed its GridOS software at the new Information and Coordination Centre in Benin, enhancing power management for 14 ECOWAS nations.
- This collaboration aims to create a unified power market, improving reliability and sustainability in West Africa’s energy infrastructure.
The recent collaboration between GE Vernova Inc. and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will significantly enhance the power supply landscape in West Africa. The company has announced the deployment of its GridOS orchestration software at the newly inaugurated Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) in Abomey-Calavi, Benin. This state-of-the-art facility is a pivotal part of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), which aims to revolutionise the region’s energy sector.
The ICC will function as the centralised command centre for the interconnected power grids of 14 ECOWAS member nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. This development represents a significant milestone towards creating a unified power market, fostering a more reliable, sustainable, cost-effective energy infrastructure across West Africa.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Africa Energy Outlook 2022, Africa’s GDP is projected to grow by an average of 4.6% annually from 2022 to 2040, leading to a 2.8% annual increase in energy demand and a doubling of electricity consumption by 2040. By expanding power capacity, enhancing forecasting capabilities, and ensuring a seamless balance between generation and demand across borders, the ICC aims to bridge the gap between energy requirements and dependable supply.
Equipped with cutting-edge electric grid management technologies, the ICC utilises various elements from GE Vernova’s GridOS software portfolio. Critical applications include an Energy Management System (EMS) for effective dispatch, a Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) for grid stability, and an Advanced Market Management System to facilitate power trading among ECOWAS countries. The ICC also features GE Vernova’s GridOS forecasting solution, enhancing the integration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) into the electricity market.
With near real-time access to data on energy flow across the WAPP network, engineers can monitor, analyse, and optimise power distribution effectively. “We are honoured to partner with WAPP in their mission to advance power generation and transmission infrastructure and coordinate power exchanges among ECOWAS member states,” stated Mahesh Sudhakaran, General Manager for GE Vernova’s Grid Software business. “Our GridOS portfolio equips the ICC with modern software capabilities to automate grid operations, thereby increasing energy transaction rates and addressing energy challenges in the ECOWAS region.”
GE Vernova is committed to assisting national electric utilities and regional power pools in adopting cutting-edge technologies for grid modernisation. The recent inauguration of a Coordination Control Center in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) further exemplifies this commitment. With additional projects on the horizon, GE Vernova is poised to play a crucial role in Africa’s energy transition.