ECREEE with the support of UNDP Regional Programme for Poverty Reduction (UNDP PREP) organised a Regional Workshop on the theme “Accelerating Universal Energy Access Through The Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” from the 24th – 26th of October 2011 in Accra, Ghana.
The objectives of workshop are as follows:
- review the energy access situation in the region and the potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies towards the attainment of the White Paper targets;
- review capacities and methods in the region to improve measurement of energy access and energy poverty in the region;
- define and adopt regional intervention strategies/road map for the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies for increasing access to energy services towards the attainment of the White Paper targets;
- launch the ECREEE regional project on energy efficiency (SEEA- WA) and the development of the ECOWAS Regional Policy on Energy Efficiency;
- launch of the development of the ECOWAS Regional Policy on Renewable Energy under the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme
With this Workshop, ECREEE contributes to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UN Goal on Universal Access to Clean, Affordable Energy by 2030 and the international agreements to reduce GHG emissions. The workshop can also be seen as ECOWAS contribution to the 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
The Workshop brought together representatives of the ministries Energy, Environment and Finance of ECOWAS member states, government agencies, regional and international organizations, academia, business and industry, civil society and financial institutions in the field of renewable energy.