Senegal - February 16, 2017 - The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP) in partnership with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Regions 20 of Climate Action (R20), and the Agence Nationale pour les Énergies Renouvelables (ANER) of Senegal, have organized an high-level capacity building conference on renewable energy and public-private financing targeting the West African region.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity and platform to exchange best practices, local and international experiences for increasing access to sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity which can accelerate regional social and economic development.
Both participants and panelists were given the opportunity to address their experiences in implementing renewable energy projects, via competitive calls for tenders and bilateral negotiations, the most appropriate renewable energy technologies for West African States, energy efficiency, project structuring, and innovative financing.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Djiby Ndiaye, Director General of ANER, underlined the importance to build capacities and thus, provide a platform to advance in the renewable energy sector.
In his intervention, Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE, highlighted the need to achieve concrete results. The director also spoke about the tremendous energy potential existent in the West African region, and about projects being implemented and policies adopted as a result of the strategic role played by ECREEE in the ECOWAS region.
To the workshop attended more than 60 high-level representatives from ministries, energy regulators, utilities, regional institutions, investors, public and private utilities and companies from 15 countries.