Since 2017 the ECOWAS Member States have been coming together in a forum called ESEF (ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum). The forum is hosted by the key organization in promoting renewable energy in West Africa, ECREEE (ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency). It allows them to further their vision of renewable energy consumption in West Africa. Through this forum, they are able to facilitate investments in the regional energy sector. For 2019, this was again a theme at the ESEF forum which took place from 22 – 24 October. The 3rd Edition of the ESEF held at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana. The forum aims at supporting small-to-medium scale Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects in West Africa.
In a recent ceremony following ESEF 2019, the ECREEE Executive Director, Mahama Kappiah, presented awards courtesy of USAID to six selected winning projects. The monetary grants given to the winners amount to more than 980 000 US dollars. ECREEE’s financing is strictly result based and the beneficiary companies included:
- Agrochoopcha – Cape Verde
- Unique Solutions & Unique Energy Company LTD – The Gambia
- Translight Solar LTD – Ghana
- Jesuton Sarl – Togo
- Access SA – Mali
- Fanny Franck Global Resources LTD – Nigeria
These selected companies will relinquish equivalent financing in the future. The returns they provide will be used for a total installed capacity of 231 kWp, close to 2000 new connections. These projects will provide the capacity to supply over 10,000 locales in communities with electricity.
ESEF Continues The Work For a Greener Africa
The ESEF forum creates room for organizations to showcase their products and services. This, in turn, allows them to raise the visibility of their brands. ESEF 2019 was open to all sectors within the sustainable energy value chain. Manufacturers, financing institutions, distributors, and EPC contractors were some of the sectors present. A series of panel discussions were also held as well as presentations and practical working sessions. All topics covered were related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Dignitaries within and outside Africa who have interests in renewable energy and efficiency, as well as projects in West Africa, were in attendance.
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