Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, has reassured the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) of Ghana’s support in its mandate to develop the regional electricity market.
Hon. Owuraku Aidoo gave the reassurance statement while receiving an ERERA delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Laurent Tossou, on January 13, 2023, at the Ministry of Energy in Accra.
He said Ghana was deeply interested in the regional electricity market which, he described as critical to the energy supply and security in the ECOWAS region and would encourage any progress in market development.
Decrying the current state of electricity trade in the region, the Deputy Minister called on the ECOWAS Member States to embrace the pooling of energy resources and explore the many benefits of the regional market, which among others, would help increase efficiency and lower prices for consumers.
Following ERERA’s request to help facilitate its headquarters, Mr Aidoo said the Ministry of Energy would support the regional regulator in the process of securing its building, including helping to ensure a working environment conducive to its staff.
Speaking earlier, Mr Tossou requested the support of Ghana, as a strategic partner, to help facilitate the launch of the second phase of the regional electricity market.
He also informed the Minister of the next ERERA Regulatory Forum, which is to take place in Niamey, the capital of Niger, in June.
The forum is a platform for exchanges between regulators and all players in the electricity sector in West Africa on current issues concerning energy security and the electricity market in West Africa.
According to Mr. Tossou, the forum would be preceded by a meeting of ECOWAS energy ministers in Niamey.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com