By SUNDAY ABBAH, Abuja
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) Executive Board has held the final session of its meeting for the year 2024, ahead of the WAPP General Assembly that will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on the 29th of November, 2024.
Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the WAPP Executive Board and Managing Director/Chief Executive Director of TCN Engr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz noted that the year 2024 has been one of remarkable progress achieved through collective resilience of WAPP member utilities.
The collaborative efforts of the Board he said resulted in various strategic resolutions, which helped in driving key projects forward. Consequently, several priority projects, identified earlier in the year, have been concluded, while others are progressing.
He however acknowledged that the Pool has equally experienced challenges that have affected the organisation’s financial standing.
In his words, “This year was not without its difficulties,” citing the global economic pressures and uncertainties that impacted the financial performance of many utilities, causing some traditionally reliable members to default in their contributions.
The chairman emphasised that WAPP’s ability to meet its responsibilities and achieve its goals is directly tied to the financial support from its members, hence the need for a more determined effort by all parties to settle outstanding payments to ensure continued progress.
Looking ahead, he outlined key developments to expect at the upcoming General Assembly, including the onboarding of a new Secretary General for the WAPP Secretariat.
The assembly, he said, will also focus on advancing critical projects, including the synchronisation project and the establishment of a resilient and competitive power market across the region.
Presenting the 2024 Activity Report, the Actg. Secretary General Engr Abdul Nazif, noted that WAPP under his watch had recorded several accomplishments, including the adoption of the Average Participation Methodology (APM) for transmission pricing, aimed at enhancing regional transmission efficiency successful commissioning of the OMVG and CLSG transmission lines, that has facilitated the synchronous operation of Areas 2 and 3 of the regional grid among others.
Speaking specifically on infrastructural progress amid challenges, Nasif said that the construction of key transmission projects remains a priority.
He noted that the 225 kV Guinea-Mali line is progressing, while the 330 kV North Core Project, Nigeria-Niger-Benin/Togo-Burkina, faces delay due to security challenges in certain areas, adding, however, that strategies have been put in place, enabling work to move forward.
Addressing the meeting the Director of Ci-Energies, Mr Noumory Sidibe noted that the issue of governance within WAPP is crucial to ensuring its smooth operation. He said that it is important to further strengthen procedures and streamline expenditures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
He assured of CI-ENERGIES’ full commitment to actively contribute, both within the Executive Council and the organizational committees, to move the Pool forward.
A statement signed by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, noted, “This Executive Board meeting marks a critical moment in WAPP’s efforts to advance regional energy cooperation, setting the stage for continued success in the year ahead. The meeting was hosted by CI-ENERGIES in conjunction with CIE and TRANSCOCLSG, who supported logistics.”