The tremendous global development of renewable energy over the past three years, combined with rising energy demand of rapidly emerging economies, brings the debate about specific actions for energy efficiency squarely back on the political agenda. There is significant potential to improve the demand side and supply side energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, power generation and transmission.

Energy efficiency is a key component of the ECOWAS strategy on energy, especially given that the energy systems are very unstable. As with any rare and expensive commodity, energy must be used wisely. Improved energy efficiency will make enterprises more competitive, allow households to save money, and reduce negative environmental impacts such as deforestation, land degradation, pollution, and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

It is estimated that in ECOWAS, 25% to 30% of the total electricity supply is consumed in the building sector, namely cooling and hot water heating. In the electricity sector alone, approximately one third of the power generated is lost before it reaches the final consumers. Realizing the potential for savings in the energy sector, ECREEE, with support from the member states and partners, aims to free-up 2000 MW of power generation capacity as stated in the ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy.

ECREEE is facilitating the efforts at various sectors towards improving the institutional and legislative framework to increase the rate of energy efficiency. These improvements include, for example, in the domestic sector – promotion of efficient lighting and efficient electrical appliances; in the public and industrial sectors – energy efficiency improvements in public lighting, public buildings, energy efficiency in industrial processes; and the electricity sector – reduction of losses in transmission and distribution networks.