ECREEE ORGANIZES WORKSHOP TARGETING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ECOWAS

ECREEE – Praia, – 1ST May 2021 – Preparations are underway for a virtual workshop on Multi-Country Regional Project for Green Climate Fund on the theme – Leapfrogging to Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Lighting, Refrigerators and Room Air Conditioners in the ECOWAS Member States. The virtual workshop will be organized by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), in collaboration with the United for Efficiency (U4E), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on the 17th May 2021.

It would be recalled that efforts have been made to advance energy efficiency in ECOWAS member countries, but gaps still remains in the regulatory framework to achieve a sustainable market transformation.  It is therefore important to establish a strong regulatory framework and promote higher efficiency appliances. To this end, a robust and efficient Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement (MVE) systems and enforced product labelling as well as efficient customs control are fundamental for a successful market transformation. Energy experts believe that lack of capacity and framework for implementing MEPS and labels on energy-efficient and climate-friendly room air conditioners as well as low awareness on why and how to purchase higher efficiency products hinder countries efforts to make progress on such transformation.

The project aims to help the 15 member countries leapfrog to superior lighting and efficient refrigerator and air conditioners. The project is designed to follow a three-pronged approach: enhancing stakeholder capacity for pursuing strategic priorities lighting, implementing a framework for MEPS and labels and creating greater knowledge sharing and learning for consumers from the residential and public sector on purchasing efficient lighting products.

The project will also establish a high-level Policy Working Group (PWG) with the development of capacity building events for relevant stakeholders to enable successful planning and implementation. In addition, National Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement frameworks for MEPS and labels will be developed to oversee products sold in the market effectively.

The project will serve as the starting point to implement similar programs to replicate the described approach in neighboring African regions. The ultimate objective is to support and converge towards common regional or sub-regional standards and to promote energy-efficient and climate-friendly products, thus, achieving greater GHG reductions.

Participants from ministries of energy, and environment from member countries, the departments of Energy and Mines, Industry and Private Sector Promotion, Agriculture, Environment and Water resources of the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) are expected to attend the virtual meeting.