ECOWAS Hands-On Training: Renewable energy (hybrid) mini-grid systems for rural electrification in West Africa

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), organized a Hands-on Training on Renewable Energy (Hybrid) Mini-Grid Systems for Rural Electrification in West Africa, from 9 to 12 March 2015 in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Guinea Bissau. The training was undertaken in the context of the GEF Project - “Promoting investments into small and medium sized renewable energy technologies in the electricity sector of Guinea Bissau” and the development of a regional renewable energy mini-grid project for the entire ECOWAS region. The purpose of this initiative is to promote the contribution of renewable energy technologies to the ECREEE regional rural electrification program for 2015-2020 and enhance the understanding of the different technologies solutions and financial schemes needed for the complete development of the different phases of a renewable energy rural electrification project.

The training participants had the chance to visit the recent photovoltaic power plant in Bambadinca. The Community Service for Energy of Bambadinca has been launched on the 4th March by Guinea Bissau Prime-Minister.

This project is the result of "Bambadinca Sta Claro" programme and it is supported by the European Union, Camões Language and Cooperation Institute, UNIDO and ECREEE. The project was developed and executed by TESE Sem Fronteiras, in close collaboration with the Bambadinca’s Development Community Association (ACDB), the General Directorate of Energy, the NGO DIVUTEC and the University of Lisbon.

This is the largest mini-grid in the world and it will allow to supply 8000 inhabitants of Bambadinca throughout an innovative photovoltaic power plant with 312 kW power.

Please click here for more information of the training.

Please click here and here for more information of the project.