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The implementation of the First Call of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility (EREF) got underway with the commencement of the contracting phase in February 2013. This was based on the recommendations of the EREF technical committee which approved 41 projects for the grant award.
One of the projects – Electricity Transmission Losses Reduction in the City of Brikama – undertaken by The Gambian National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) seeks to enhance the supply of electricity in Brikama through energy efficiency measures. The managing director of NAWEC, Ebrima Sanyang, observed that renewable energy and energy efficiency can play a key role in the provision of electricity supply needs. He expressed hope that the project would address the technical losses in electricity and improve the livelihoods of the beneficiaries.
A second project – Provision of Minimum Energy Services in Rural Communities in Benin – is being undertaken by a non-governmental organisation, ABED-Benin. The project kicked-off with the training of local technicians on solar PV technology maintenance and accounting management of energy installations. Participants at the training session received toolkits for installation and troubleshooting of solar PV panels to allow them strengthen their knowledge on management of solar PV projects. The project aims at the installation of 600 WC for designated community centres in 5 villages for services such as: lighting, battery recharges (phones, radios), television, rural internet and freezing. Beneficiary villages are organized in Village Committees for Energy (VCE) and will be responsible for the technical and financial management of the solar installations. ABED will assist the VCE to develop business models as well as in the technical and accounting management of the installations.