By: Kebba AF Touray
The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), in collaboration with its partner, has commenced the validationfor the launch of the Gambia National Grid Code, currently underway in a hotel in Kololi.
The objective of the electricity Grid Code is to provide the relevant rules and processes that will ensure and support a secured, safe, and operationally reliable network.
Marcelo Tardio, Lead Consultant at Centro ElettrotecnicoSuprimentaleItaliano (CESI), said: “We drafted the Grid Code following previous experience in an international way. We drafted several grid codes around the world and several interconnections.”
The drafting of the grid code, he confessed, was not an easy task, but working with dedicated and committed Gambian teams, the drafting of the code turned out a resounding success.
Musa Njie, Acting Director Petroleum Water and Energy, said since the development of a national energy roadmap, which is a national commitment by The Government, institutions and partners have made tremendous efforts to transform the Gambia Power Sector.
“The recently inaugurated solar park at Jambur is a key indication of the progress achieved. More so, The Gambia is undertaking regional integration to increase the population, access to electricity through projects such as the Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG),” he pointed out.
He said it is along these lines that the remarkable development is also taking place, and that the Gambia Electricity Grid Code is a component of the World Bank’s support to The Gambia energy sector through the Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project.
“The main objective of the electricity Grid Code is to provide the relevant rules and processes, that will ensure and support a secured, safe, and operationally reliable network, as we move to integrate more renewables, independent power producers and imports from regional markets as well as monitor quality of service (QOS),” he explained.
He expressed hope that together with all stakeholders, that the validation will lay a strong foundation for better partnership towards strengthening the regulatory framework, as they transform the power sector towards universal access.
Mr Solo Sima, Deputy Director General of PURA, describing the event as a milestone achievement toward attaining universal access to electricity for all Gambians, said: “Access and connectivity to not only sustainable, but reliable and affordable energy, is a key pillar in the government of the Gambia’s medium-and-long term development agenda.”
He added that this culminates in its desire to achieve access to electricity for all by 2025, and the desire is now recognized in the significant developments in the Gambia’s energy sector such as the recently inaugurated solar plant at Jambur.
This, he averred is a significant milestone in their continued efforts to integrate renewables in the energy mix, which reaffirms the desire of the Gambia Government for universal access, as an ambition not only realistic but also achievable.
He underscored that this is evidenced by the numerous initiatives that are currently being undertaken, such as the membership in the West African Power Poll (WAPP), and also partaking in regional integration.
“These are all with a singular view in increasing access to reliable electricity through projects such as the Gambia River Basin Development Organization (0MVG) among others,” he informed the gathering.
He went on to say that all these developments taking place, are geared towards fostering a more private involvement, the advent of the Gambia Electricity Grid Code, makes it a timely prerequisite for the provision of clear and unambitious rules and processes.
“This is in order to ensure that multiple points of generation, transmission and distribution are embedded within the network in a safe and operationally reliable manner for the Gambia,” said DDG Sima.
