November 17, 2023 – The West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) is set to inaugurate its Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) on November 17, a move hailed as a significant step towards realizing the vision of integrated energy sufficiency in West Africa, according to Mr Siengui Ki, the General Secretary of WAPP.
Established in 1999, WAPP is a specialized agency of ECOWAS, officially launched in 2006, with the goal of driving infrastructure development for electrical energy production and transportation while coordinating energy exchange among member states.
The ICC will serve as a trading platform for various electricity market players under the ECOWAS Mandated Regional Electricity Market regulated by WAPP.
This market, mandated by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, aims to enhance cooperation in electric energy within the West Africa Sub-Region, promoting competitive and transparent cross-border electricity trade.
The ICC, supported by a €30 million grant from the European Union, will act as a central hub for collecting essential information on electricity exchanges and purchases.
It will enable planning among all companies involved in electricity distribution in West Africa and facilitate real-time monitoring of the regional interconnected network through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems control room.
The inauguration of the WAPP ICC marks a significant milestone in realizing the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and energy-self-sufficient West Africa.
Mr Siengui Ki emphasized the role of the ICC in implementing the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market in Benin Republic, promoting competition and ensuring the best possible rates for electricity prices.
The European Union's collaboration with ECOWAS and WAPP, as stated by Mr. Joel Neubert, Head of Cooperation, European Union, aims to improve electricity access in the region.
The ICC is expected to contribute to regional integration in the electricity energy sector, meeting the growing demand for electricity in the subregion, projected at eight percent annually.
