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Mr Peter Meisen,
President,
Global Energy Network Institute (GENI)
World Trade Center of San Diego,
1250 Sixth Ave 9th Floor
San Diego CA 92138
U.S.A.
Dear Mr Meisen,
Re: Electric Power Integration in Africa
The initiative
of having an integrated energy production capacity
in the region has been one of the objectives of ECOWAS,
since the Heads of states adopted the Community Energy
programme in 1982. In pursuant of this objective the
Executive Secretariat joined forces with the World
Bank in carrying out the study on the rationalisation
of production and distribution of Petroleum products
and Gas in sub-Saharan Africa. The results of the
study which was presented in a workshop in Accra gave
birth to the West African Pipeline project.
Indeed, it is
my conviction that the abundant natural gas reserves
in Nigeria which is currently flared could be tapped
for electricity generation; that will provide the
energy for sustainable development of industry in
the region. This will also complement the hydro-power
potentials which could be economically developed in
some of the ECOWAS Members States. Therefore the integration
of electric power networks in Member States is the
logical conclusion to such a development.
In furtherance
of this initiative, the Ministers in charge of Energy
of ECOWAS Member States declared their collective
resolve to establish the West African Power Pool at
a meeting held in Accra early November this year.
This meeting was addressed by Calvin R. Humphrey,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department
of Energy. The Ministers declared that they will encourage
increased Private Sector involvement in the development
of energy production facilities, and solicited the
support of partners in development for the implementation
of the Power Pool Project.
Clearly, ECOWAS
Member States have made a political commitment. The
Executive Secretariat is therefore launching an appeal
to development partners to support this important
project. I shall be pleased to discuss this idea in
any international forum. I look forward to our future
cooperation in this area.
Kind regards.
Yours sincerely,
Lansana Kouyate
Executive Secretary
ECOWAS
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