Ghana To Host ERERA Forum

Kocou Laurent Tossou (M) flanked by officials of the PURC and the Energy Commission

 

The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority (ERERA), in partnership with the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), will host the 9th ERERA forum from Wednesday July 24, 2024 to Thursday July 25, 2024 in Accra.

The forum, which will be preceded by a meeting of ERERA’s joint Consultative Committees of Regulators and Operators on July 22 and 23, 2024, will discuss strategies to improve energy access to enhance regional integration as well as ensure sustainable energy development for all member states.

The two-day event will also discuss among other things the role of national policies in shaping electricity trade security within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Region, how free market principles influence cross-border electricity trading among ECOWAS member states, and the challenges and opportunities presented by the interplay between national policies and free market principles in ensuring electricity trade security.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the event in Accra, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Kocou Laurent Tossou, said the forum is also expected to strengthen the role of key players, including national policymakers, market players, and ECOWAS institutions in developing a regional framework for electricity trade.

He said the forum would also highlight cooperation among ECOWAS member states to harmonise national policies and regulations related to electricity trading and establish mechanisms for the security of payments resolve disputes and enforce agreements related to electricity trade within the region.

Executive Secretary of PURC, Ishmael Ackah, said the forum would also discuss how countries could balance national interests with national security and economic principles, to satisfy the needs of countries before exporting to other countries as well as the processes that are required in such trade.

He said member states would also look at how resources could be shared in generating power, particularly at a time when some members have excess generation while others are struggling to generate power.

According to him, electricity tariffs of some countries are as high as 30 cents while others were getting electricity tariffs below 10 cents.

Dr. Ackah said these among other issues would be discussed to ensure that countries have access, reliable supplies and affordable electricity.

Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, for his part said Ghana needs a strong Grid with the introduction of renewable energy resources.

He said the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), which is the parent body with other sector players will discuss various plans of generation sources that have to be enhanced and the challenges that would have to be addressed with the primary objective to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply at competitive prices.

The event which will be held on the theme, ‘Security of Electricity Trade in the ECOWAS Region: The Interaction between National Policies and Free Market Principles’ is expected to bring together industry experts from ECOWAS member states.

By Ebenezer K. Amponsah