ECOWAS electricity regulators commence plans for integration

Amidst complaints by Nigerians over the activities of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), plans to integrate electricity regulatory activities in the Economic Community of West African States’ region (ECOWAS) have commenced.

Indeed, Nigerians have decried activities of the NERC, owing to the increase of electricity tariffs earlier in the year, which a court reversed less than two weeks ago, but ignored as electricity distribution companies declare their intention to appeal the judgment from the Lagos court.

It is not clear what advantage integration in the West African region will achieve for electricity consumers in the country, but consumers are optimistic the move will favour them.

Under the plan to integrate the sub-continent, there is a directive for the gradual establishment of the ECOWAS regional power market through the harmonisation of national electricity markets, according to a publication from the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).The plan also provides for a regional market design and market phases, open access to the regional transmission network and access by eligible customers.

According to the ECOWAS body, the Chairman of the ERERA, Professor Honoré Bogler, visited, along with four others the headquarters of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission PURC) in Accra, Ghana to exchange views on improving the electricity regulatory environment in West Africa.

ERERA’s delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Samuel Sarpong, who reiterated the PURC’s willingness and readiness to collaborate with ERERA, especially in view of the launch of the regional power market towards the end of the year.

Both Professor Bogler and Sarpong agreed to hold regular meetings between the two organizations in order to help harmonize electricity regulatory practices across ECOWAS member states.The visit was part of Professor Bogler’s meet-the-stakeholders tour meant to strengthen relations between the institution and its key partners.