The validation workshop for the newly revamped ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECOWREX) was officially opened on March 25, 2025, in Cotonou, Benin. This event marks a significant step in enhancing the observatory's role as a critical resource for sustainable energy policy and strategy development in West Africa.
Originally adopted by ECOWAS Energy Ministers in October 2012 during a meeting in Accra, Ghana, ECOWREX serves as a tool to support decision-making by providing quality information and data on sustainable energy. The updated platform is designed to align with regional and national sustainable energy policies while adhering to international standards. It includes updated data, new functionalities, and improved ergonomics to facilitate use by stakeholders promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. Additionally, it enables data interoperability with the Energy Information Systems of the African Union, ECOWAS, and UEMOA.
The workshop gathered National Energy Data Focal Points from ECOWAS Member States along with Energy Data Experts from various organizations including the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARREC), the West African Power Pool (WAPP), and representatives from other regional bodies such as the African Union Energy Commission (AFREC). Technical and financial partners like GiZ and UNDP also participated.
Support for revamping ECOWREX came from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through initiatives like "Support to Rural Electrification by Renewable Energy Systems in the Liptako-Gourma Region – Pilot Phase" ER-ALG Project. GiZ contributed via its ProMERC Program aimed at promoting a climate-friendly electricity market in West Africa.
More information about the new platform can be found at www.ecowrex.org. A presentation video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qly2Hi3ceyI
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