Accra, Ghana, 20 – 22 October 2026, ECOWAS Ministers in charge of Energy adopted the regional Directive on the Deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Other Energy Storage Technologies at their meeting in Accra, Ghana. The Directive establishes a common framework to support BESS and Other Energy Storage Technologies deployment across West Africa, strengthen electricity system flexibility and reliability, and enable greater integration of renewable energy.
ECREEE participated in the Experts’ Meeting held on 20–21 October and the subsequent Ministerial Meeting on 22 October to present the Directive and support its consideration and adoption.
The ECREEE delegation was led by its Executive Director, Mr. Gibson Obasi, and comprised Dr. Mawufemo Modjinou, Acting Director of Programmes responsible for Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Project Development and Funds Mobilization; Mr. Guei Kouhie, Programme Officer for Renewable Energy Technologies; and Mr. Mahmoud N’daw, Renewable Energy Advisor.
Energy storage has an increasingly important role in addressing the challenges facing West African electricity systems, including rising demand, variable renewable energy generation, and grid instability. Given that Energy Storage Technologies have become a competitive solution, storing electricity for use when needed can help balance supply and demand, provide frequency regulation, grid congestion management and other grid services, and improve the reliability of electricity supply.
The Directive provides guidelines for both grid-connected and off-grid applications. It sets out measures at regional and national levels to facilitate energy storage projects and requests the creation of regulations, instruments, and clearer conditions for investment and their participation in electricity markets.
Its provisions address institutional responsibilities at regional and national levels, technical integration, licensing, market participation, pricing, public procurement and investment incentives. The framework also incorporates gender considerations and requirements for the safe management, dismantling, reuse, recycling and disposal of batteries.
Following the deliberations of the Directive on 20-21 October 2026, the experts validated the revised text and recommended its adoption by the Ministers. Finally, on 22 October 2026 at the Ministers’ meeting, the Directive was adopted by the Energy Ministers, marking an important step towards a coordinated approach to energy storage development in West Africa. It provides a basis for Member States to establish the national measures needed to support their deployment while promoting consistency with the evolving regional electricity market.
ECREEE will continue working with the ECOWAS Commission, Member States, the West African Power Pool, the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority, and other partners to support the implementation of the Directive and advance reliable, sustainable energy services at the national and regional levels across the region.