WAPP Executive Board reflects on progress and challenges in the outgoing year

By Oke Peter

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) Executive Board has held the final session of its meeting for the year 2024. The Executive Board Meeting was held today, ahead of the WAPP General Assembly that will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on the 29th of November, 2024.

Addressing the Executive Board, the Chairman of the WAPP Executive Board/ MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz noted that the year 2024 has been one of remarkable progress achieved through collective resilience of WAPP member utilities. The collaborative efforts of the Board he said resulted in various strategic resolutions, which helped in driving key projects forward. Consequently, several priority projects, identified earlier in the year, have been concluded, while others are progressing.

The WAPP Chairman acknowledged that the Pool has equally experienced challenges that have affected the organization’s financial standing. In his words, “This year was not without its difficulties,” citing the global economic pressures and uncertainties that impacted the financial performance of many utilities, causing some traditionally reliable members to default in their contributions. The chairman emphasized that WAPP’s ability to meet its responsibilities and achieve its goals is directly tied to the financial support from its members, hence the need for a more determined effort by all parties to settle outstanding payments to ensure continued progress.

Looking ahead, he outlined key developments to expect at the upcoming General Assembly, including the onboarding of a new Secretary General for the WAPP Secretariat. Dr. Abdulaziz underscored the importance of this transition, which is expected to further strengthen the organization’s leadership and strategic direction. The assembly, he said, will also focus on advancing critical projects, including the synchronization project and the establishment of a resilient and competitive power market across the region.

Presenting the 2024 Activity Report, the Ag. Secretary General Engr. Abdul Nazif noted that WAPP under his watch has made several accomplishments, including the adoption of the Average Participation Methodology (APM) for transmission pricing, aimed at enhancing regional transmission efficiency successful commissioning of the OMVG and CLSG transmission lines, that has facilitated the synchronous operation of Areas 2 and 3 of the regional grid and the ongoing restructuring of the WAPP Secretariat, efforts, he said, were also being made to align with the autonomy requirements of the System and Market Operator (SMO).

Speaking specifically on infrastructural progress amid Challenges, Nasif said that the construction of key transmission projects remains a priority. He noted that the 225 kV Guinea-Mali line is progressing, while the 330 kV North Core Project (Nigeria-Niger-Benin/Togo-Burkina) faces delay due to security challenges in certain areas. He noted, however, that strategies have been put in place, enabling work to move forward.

Addressing the meeting the Director of Ci-Energies, Mr. Noumory Sidibe noted that the issue of governance within WAPP is crucial to ensuring its smooth operation. He said that it is important to further strengthen procedures and streamline expenditures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

He assured of CI-ENERGIES’ full commitment to actively contribute, both within the Executive Council and the organizational committees, to move the Pool forward.

The 63rd WAPP Executive Board meeting focused on the significant progress made in advancing the objectives of the WAPP in enhancing the Regional Electricity Market (REM). The WAPP achievements so far are a result of collaborative efforts by member utilities, their financial contributions, and the continuous support from financial and technical partners.

This Executive Board meeting marks a critical moment in WAPP’s efforts to advance regional energy cooperation, setting the stage for continued success in the year ahead. The meeting was hosted by CI-ENERGIES in conjunction with CIE and TRANSCOCLSG, who supported logistics.