News

Call for Proposals: Web-based GIS Hydropower Resource Mapping for ECOWAS Countries

ECREEE is planning to implement a web-based GIS hydropower resource mapping, to facilitate the identification of attractive sites for hydropower generation in the ECOWAS Region. It is part of the ECOWAS Small Scale Hydro Power Program (SSHP) which aims to contribute towards establishing an enabling environment for small-scale hydro power investments and markets in the ECOWAS region.

ECOWREX GIS user experience

As part of the ECOWREX Geographic Information System Improvement, a survey has been developed to assess users needs and experience. This survey was developed by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in collaboration with the University of Geneva, under the EU funded project ‘ECOWREX II’ (grant n° FED/2013/330-248).  

Your feedback is very important. Kindly take some few minutes to participate in the survey, by clicking in the following link.(http://www.unige.ch/outils/limesurvey2/index.php/469711/)

The Questionnaire will be available online from the 20th of June to the 15th of September

ECOWAS Countries Move Forward on SE4All Initiative

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) convened representatives of the 15 ECOWAS countries for a kick-off workshop on the development of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency National Action Plans and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Action Agendas in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire from March 17-19, 2014.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of promising sustainable energy developments in the ECOWAS region, particularly with the adoption of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP) and the ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP) by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in July 2013. Furthermore, all 15 ECOWAS countries have opted-in to Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative and the workshop took place following the clarification of the SE4ALL country action process subsequent to a meeting hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Tunis in December 2013. The kick-off took place at the same time with a view to realize the synergies between the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Action Plans and the SE4ALL Action Agenda.

Texas utility secures rock-bottom price for solar

Austin Energy in Texas is set to sign a deal expected to result in one of the lowest-priced solar power arrangements in the world. Under the unprecedented agreement between Austin Energy and SunEdison, the utility will buy solar power for less than $0.05 per kilowatt hour.

The Austin American-Statesman, the utility. owned by the city of Austin, has approved an agreement with SunEdison to buy electricity from two solar farms in West Texas at a price of just below $0.05 per kilowatt hour – considerably lower than the standard price for solar energy and less than a third of the price Austin Energy agreed to pay in 2009 for electricity from a smaller solar installation east of the city.

The Austin American-Statesman cited Jurgen Weiss, an energy economist with the Brattle Group, who added, "It is certainly at the very low end of the prices I have seen. As many had predicted, we’re entering a time in which, with some caveats, solar presents quite an attractive alternative to conventional sources."

Gambia: Bill to promote renewable energy approved

A Bill that seeks to establish the legal, economic and institutional basis to promote the use of renewable energy resources was unanimously approved on December 12, 2013, by The Gambia's 53-member unicameral National Assembly during the fourth meeting of the 2013 Legislative year.

The Gambia currently depends heavily on the use of wood and charcoal and fossil fuel to meet its energy requirements. Electricity generation in the country is mainly dependent on imported fossil fuel (heavy fuel oil and diesel), which is the most expensive mode of electricity generation. On the contrary, the West African country has a lot of renewable energy resources such as the sun, wind and bio-energy, which if properly harnessed and effectively utilised would help increase the access rate to modern energy, which is a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly source of fossil fuel.

Sierra Leone Embarks on One of West Africa’s Largest Solar Parks

Sierra Leone is getting plans underway to have one of the largest solar parks in the region. The country awarded UAE conglomerate Mulk OGI-Oasis Gulf Investment, FZC (subsidiary of Mulk Holdings) an $18-million solar park project to be located in Freetown.

Oasis Gulf Investment, FZC, has been selected for the construction of a 6 MW PV plant in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in the frame of IRENA/ADFD Project Facility Program. According to Business Ghana, the IRENA/ADFD initiative will provide $9 million in financing for the project, that will require a global investment of $18 million. The thin-film PV modules for the project will be provided by the UAE renewable energy company Masdar, a business unit of Mubadala Development Co. The IRENA/ADFD Project Facility Program is an initiative led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) to provide financing of up to $350 million for renewable energy projects in developing countries. Sierra Leone aims to cover 25% of the country's electricity generation from renewable source by 2015.

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