Unifying Power Grids to Improve Energy Access in West Africa
In a milestone achievement, 12 West African countries united their electricity networks to deliver cleaner, more reliable power across the region.
In 2023, 12 West African countries realized a landmark achievement by uniting their national power grids. The electricity networks of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo are now synchronized and function as a unified network.
This synchronization enables a regional energy market where cleaner, more cost-effective energy can be exchanged across borders, significantly reducing reliance on expensive, polluting sources and increasing access to reliable electricity for people and businesses. Power Africa technical assistance contributed to this significant development, the culmination of nearly two decades of effort spearheaded by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Strengthening and Expanding the West African Grid
Working alongside partners including the Tony Blair Institute, the World Bank and the European Union (EU), Power Africa supported the integration of ECOWAS countries’ electricity utilities with the West African Power Pool (WAPP). Together, we focused on developing sub-regional transmission lines and enhancing the capacity of the WAPP Information and Coordination Center (WAPP ICC).
The WAPP ICC is key to the synchronization process as it facilitates operational coordination and information exchange among WAPP member states. Power Africa assistance — conducting transmission security assessments, developing regional power system models, and identifying transmission bottlenecks — built WAPP ICC capacity to effectively manage the synchronized West African power grid.
Power Africa played a pivotal role in developing and operationalizing the two major interconnection projects that were crucial for the unification of the new regional network: the Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea (CLSG) interconnection, and the Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia (OMVG) interconnection. Power Africa technical experts established monitoring and evaluation processes, provided specialized geospatial/GIS and project management training, and facilitated forums to address environmental and social safeguards. Power Africa’s contribution aligned the OMVG Grid Code with the WAPP Regional Grid Code to enable seamless electricity trade within the WAPP network.
Reaping the Rewards of Regional Trade
The synchronization of West Africa’s national power grids marks a major leap in providing cleaner, more reliable electricity in a region historically challenged by unstable and costly power generation. A key benefit includes harnessing Guinea’s abundant hydropower potential (approximately 6,000 MW), allowing its distribution throughout the region.
The grid paves the way for a dynamic, competitive regional electricity market, enhancing cross-border trade. This development is set to lower energy costs and enhance the reliability of the power system, offering customers a diverse choice of electricity suppliers. The construction of new transmission lines is transforming rural communities previously without power, significantly boosting their social welfare and economic growth.
The Role of WAPP ICC
The WAPP ICC operates as the central entity in the synchronization process, facilitating operational coordination and information exchange among WAPP member states. Power Africa supports WAPP ICC to effectively manage and control the synchronized West African power grid.
Power Africa initially focused on enhancing WAPP ICC’s business processes to enable more effective real-time and strategic planning. This support also extended to conducting transmission security assessments and reactive power planning, key elements for harmonizing regional and national power system operations. Furthermore, Power Africa conducted analyses and assisted in improving the WAPP power system models, essential for managing load distribution and generation, and to identifying transmission imbalances and bottlenecks within the regional grid.
Synchronized Grids Enhance Electricity Access
Power Africa’s mission to improve energy access advanced significantly with the successful synchronization of West Africa’s national power grids, marking a major leap in providing cleaner, more reliable electricity in a region historically challenged by unstable and costly power generation.
Power Africa continues its commitment to the partnership with WAPP and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), actively providing skills support and technical assistance to sustain regional energy integration efforts.
