The Director General of Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC), Dr. Emmanuel Mannah, will chair the newly established Task Force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in four countries (Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Togo). Leveraging his extensive experience in power systems and load flow analysis for transmission pricing, Dr. Mannah has been appointed to chair the Task Force deliberations across the region. His leadership role will be pivotal in guiding discussions and ensuring the effective achievement of the Task Force's objectives.

The Task Force comprises thirty (30) members to conduct a comprehensive review of the proposed Average Participation Method (APM) for pricing cross-border electricity transmission. This key pricing mechanism aims to enhance the efficiency of the regional electricity market's transition from the current bi-lateral agreements to Phase 2 (the day – ahead) market.
The Task Force is mandated to review the proposed APM, which was submitted by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) to ERERA for approval. This initiative is crucial, as it addresses several regulatory requirements for market participants, including:
1. Compliance with Article 5 and Article 6 of Directive C/DIR/1/06/13, which mandate ERERA to set conditions for market evolution and determine cross-border transmission tariffs.
2. Ensuring that transmission pricing is regulated by ERERA, a prerequisite for the market's transition to the day-ahead - market.
3. Developing rules for market operations, including market settlements, billing, and payment, all of which require ERERA's approval.
The Task Force shall conduct comprehensive review and analysis of the proposed APM, ensuring alignments with regulatory standards and objectives of the regional electricity market. The task force shall also:
• Compare the proposed APM with international best practices to ensure competitiveness and effectiveness.
• Assess the potential economic, technical, and social impacts of implementing the APM on cross-border electricity trade and transmission services.
• Develop recommendations for improvements or modifications based on stakeholder feedback, benchmarking, and impact assessments.
• Identify capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders to ensure compliance with the new pricing methodology.
• Finalize regulations on tariff methodology using the APM and ensuring alignment of the English and French versions.
• Presents the findings and recommendations to the ERERA Consultative Committees of Regulators and Operators.
The Task Force meeting are scheduled to be held in Nigeria (18-20 September 2024), Senegal (7-11 October 2024), Ghana (28 October -1 November 2024), and Togo (26-28 November 2024). His leadership will guide the discussions and ensure the objectives of the Task Force are effectively met. Each session will focus on different aspects of the APM regulations and procedures, with an interim report produced after each session. This report will include a final version of the APM, regulations and procedures in both English and French.
Sierra Leone Chairing the ERERA Task Force underlines the country's commitment to regional cooperation in developing a sustainable and efficient energy market in West Africa. With Dr. Emmanuel Mannah chairing the deliberations across the various countries, Sierra Leone is set to play a key role in shaping the future of cross-border electricity transmission pricing in the region. His leadership and expertise will be crucial in ensuring that the outcomes of the Task Force are comprehensive, effective, and aligned with the regional market's strategic goals.