Capacity building workshop on harmonisation and development of curricula and training for solar thermal in ECOWAS region

1. Background information and Partners

The International Network of Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR C), Cornerstone of Rural Electrification initiative (CORE) and the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) are partnering to support training on regional solar energy qualification frameworks and curricula for selected training and examination centres in the ECOWAS region. 

STAR C is established with the objective to enhance regional solar energy quality infrastructure frameworks in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member states. STAR C is initiated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and ISA, with funding of the Government of France. The first phase of the STAR C project will focus on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the Pacific Community (SPC). The initiative is implemented under the umbrella for the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC).  

CORE is an international initiative managed by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE). CORE’s mission is to enable resilient rural and peri-urban communities by ensuring safety, efficiency and reliability to become the cornerstone of decentralised electrification. CORE’s steering committee includes ARE, UNIDO, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Copper Alliance (ICA).  

ECREEE was established by the ECOWAS Commission in 2008 during the 61st Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers. ECREEE is a specialised ECOWAS agency based in Praia, Cabo Verde, with a public mandate to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency markets. It acts as an independent body but within the legal, administrative and financial framework of ECOWAS rules and regulations. The overall mandate of ECREEE is to contribute to the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of West Africa by improving access to modern, reliable and affordable energy services, energy security and reduction of energy related externalities (GHG, local pollution). ECREEE has established a scheme for certifying the skills of solar PV installers and other sustainable energy professionals: the Regional Certification Scheme for Sustainable Energy Skills. The objective is to introduce a quality mark for sustainable energy skills that is recognised by professionals and end users across borders in all 15 ECOWAS member states. ECREEE serves as the regional certification body and aligns all structures and procedures with the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard, “Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. 

2.Objectives 

Based on the assessment report delivered under the “Development of Regional Solar Energy Qualification Frameworks and Curricula in ECOWAS, EAC and The Pacific Community” project, the objective of this capacity building workshop is to support ECREEE to further advance with its regional efforts to harmonise qualification frameworks and curricula related to solar thermal training. This in turn will help ECREEE advance on its regional certification and examination efforts as already pioneered for level 1 off-grid solar systems. 

3. Draft Agenda