The third edition of the Regional Energy Cooperation Summit opened at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, September 26.

The annual investors’ summit will continue on September 27 and closes on September 28.

Like previous successful events, the Accra event will focus on cross-border energy infrastructure and the financing of projects in West Africa.

The high-level regional Summit will not only be the platform to showcase power, trade and infrastructure investment opportunities but will also engage decision makers from ECOWAS public and private sectors to explore how project bankability can be increased.

Speaking at Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the summit, Valeria Afuffo, Director at Africa EnergyNet, commended Ghana’s Energy Ministry for endorsing the event.

The ECG, GRIDCo, VRA, Bui Power Authority among others have endorsed the three-day summit.

“Our previous editions took place in one of the fastest growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, and saw lively discussions addressing cross-border energy infrastructure and power cooperation amongst ECOWAS member countries,” an event brochure quoted the Director of Africa EnergyNet.

Presenting a keynote address to begin the summit, Deputy Power Minister, William Aidoo, said Ghana’s October timeline to being a formal competitive bidding for oil concessions remains on course.

He said currently Licencing Rounds, Bid Evaluations and Negotiations Committee has been inaugurated and a workshop held for members.

Image: Deputy Power Minister, William Aidoo

The summit brings together Energy Ministers from ECOWAS member states, government representatives, heads of utilities, Regulators, power developers, technology providers, financiers and multilateral agencies from across West Africa.

They will, among other things, discuss strategies to engage the private sector and multilateral institutions.