ECOWAS Boosts Investors' Protection For Electricity Market

The Chairman, ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Engr. Kokou Laurent Tossou said the authority is committed to protecting the interests of investors and participants in the regional electricity market.

According to a statement from ERERA, Engr Tossou stated this when his team visited the Sunon Asogli Power Plant, in Kpone, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, recently.

He noted that electricity production is vital to the market's viability, and ERERA has approved critical documents for developing the regional power market, adding that they will also be conducive to investments in the energy sector.

Approved documents include the Regional Electricity Market Procedures for the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the WAPP Operation Manual, the Tariff Methodology for Regional Transmission Cost and Tariff, the WAPP Regional Market Rules, as well as the WAPP Transmission Service Access and Use Procedures (WTSAUP).

ERERA has also secured the approval of strategic documents such as the Directive on the Organization of the Regional Electricity Market. The Directive provides for Member States to amend their laws to allow for open access to the transmission network, as well as provide for third-party access to eligible customers on the other hand.

Mr. Tossou commended Asogli power plant, a member of the WAPP, for its investments in West Africa and its high efficiency in power generation.

Chairman of the plant, Mr. Qun Yang, said his company plans to expand to Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone as it already contributes 15% to the Ghana power grid from its 560 megawatts gas-fired power plant.