News

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in New York and the Engineering Department of the University of Cape Verde (UNICV) in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, are executing an innovative certified distance-learning programme for building capacities of West African experts in the fields of sustainable energy systems and solutions.

The lights are going on all over Africa, home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Overall, that is great news. Children can study at night without breathing harmful or environmentally damaging kerosene fumes; the sense of security in poor communities, where people live in fear when night falls, is hugely increased; productivity for businesses improves as they can stay open later; and commonplace fires, caused by fallen candles or spilt fuels, become rare.

VIENNA, 29 May 2013 - At the margins of the Vienna Energy Forum the Managing Director of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Brigitte Öppinger-Walchshofer, and Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE signed a funding agreement marking the next operational phase of the Centre in line e with its business plan. "By signing the contract today, Austria grants an additional two million Euros for the next phase which ends in 2016", Ms. Öppinger-Walchshofer noted. While congratulating Mr.

Vienna, 27 May 2013 - In conjunction with the Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized a training session on small scale hydropower (SSHP) development for 20 experts from the West African region and other parts of Sub Saharan Africa. The training was held in different parts of Austria from 22 to 27 May 2013.