Santo Antão, Cabo Verde – September 19, 2024 – The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has announced the completion of a renewable energy project in Ribeira Alta, a remote area on Santo Antão island. Funded by the ECOWAS Special Intervention Fund (ESIF), this initiative aims to provide sustainable electricity to one of Cabo Verde’s most isolated regions.
The handover ceremony took place on September 19 and included representatives from ECREEE, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, local government officials, project promoters, and community leaders. This project is part of ECOWAS’s broader commitment to improving energy access and promoting sustainable development in underserved areas.
Ribeira Alta has historically struggled with energy access due to its challenging terrain and geographic isolation. The new renewable energy system includes solar power installations and energy storage solutions designed to meet the community’s electricity needs sustainably.
“This project is a milestone in our mission to expand renewable energy access across West Africa,” said Mr. Claudino Mendes, Sustainable Energy Expert at ECREEE. “By addressing the energy needs of remote communities like Ribeira Alta, we are making strides towards greater energy equity and sustainable development in the ECOWAS region.”
This initiative is one of several projects funded by the ESIF and implemented by ECREEE throughout the year. Other projects include clean energy mini-grids, solar home systems, solar pumping systems for drinking water and irrigation, solarization of hospitals, and rural electrification efforts in Nigeria, The Gambia, Cabo Verde, Ghana, and Togo.
The success of this project reflects collaborative efforts between ECREEE, local authorities, and residents of Ribeira Alta who were actively involved throughout its development. It also highlights effective use of the ESIF to improve energy access in vulnerable communities.
