(5 minutes read)
· African Energy Ministers gathered recently to discuss the implementation status of the Action Plan adopted by the STC-TTIIET held in April 2019 in Cairo, Egypt have endorsed the need for a trans-continental grid to achieve energy security
· The need for African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) was also discussed
· A policy paper prepared and validated by the AUC in partnership with the European Union, Member States and stakeholders was presented
· The African Union Commission (AUC), the African Energy Commission (AFREC), Pan African Institutions and Partners gave an update on the progress in the implementation of the STC Action Plan since the last meeting of the STC-TTIIET
African Energy Ministers gathered recently to discuss the implementation status of the Action Plan adopted by the STC-TTIIET held in April 2019 in Cairo, Egypt have endorsed the need for a trans-continental grid to achieve energy security. At the Second Ordinary Session of the Sub-Committee on Energy of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism (STC-TTIIET), they endorsed the need for building the grid for the all-round progress of the region.
The Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Chair of the STC-TTIIET, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shaker El Markabi elaborated the large clean energy resources in the continent. He underscored the opportunities to easily develop the African energy system at the local, national and regional levels, using a combination of both small and large – scale energy technologies. A conducive environment for all stakeholders to effectively participate in the energy development agenda should be created, he stressed.
The African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid recognized the progress made in the energy sector since the last STC meeting in Cairo. COVID-19, she said, was a major impediment for implementing the projects. However, she said that the Commission had marshaled efforts together with partners to ensure the sector remains robust and contributes to recovery.
Dr. Abou-Zeid highlighted the need for collaboration and partnership at various levels to fully utilize the potentials. The Commissioner emphasized the need for engaging stakeholders in addressing the key barriers to energy sector development on the continent including policy, regulatory, technical, financing and market barriers.
The need for African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) was also discussed. A policy paper prepared and validated by the AUC in partnership with the European Union, Member States and stakeholders was presented. The African Union Commission (AUC), the African Energy Commission (AFREC), Pan African Institutions and Partners gave an update on the progress in the implementation of the STC Action Plan since the last meeting of the STC-TTIIET.
AfSEM to be launched in February next year during the African Union Assembly of the Heads of State and Government is projected to be achieved as early as 2023 and full operation is anticipated to be reached by 2040.
