[Press Release] Launch of the CIGRE West Africa Study Committees for the Development of Tomorrow’s Electrical Networks

Published On - June 15, 2023

Gwladys Kouagou Blogs, WANC Latest News

In late 2019, on the sidelines of the 14th General Assembly of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) held on November 8, 2019 in Abuja (Nigeria), a Constitutive General Assembly (CGA) of the CIGRE-West Africa National Committee was organized by WAPP member utilities. This Constitutive General Assembly marked the official establishment of CIGRE West Africa.

International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE)

Founded in 1921, CIGRE is the world’s largest international association of individuals and legal entities (companies, NGOs, financiers and industrialists) in the electricity sector. It brings together international experts to exchange knowledge and pool skills for the development of today’s and tomorrow’s power networks.

CIGRE’s mission is to :

  1. provide a platform for engineers and specialists from all over the world to develop and share their knowledge in the field of electrical systems;
  2. enhance the value of work and research through high-quality summaries, and
  3. share research findings with industry decision-makers.

The bulk of CIGRE’s work is carried out through the sixteen (16) Study Committees, which cover all the key strategic themes defined by CIGRE’s management experts, with input from the community. These themes cover the essential elements affecting the industry and are updated as and when strategic changes occur.

Study Committees

CIGRE-WA Study Committees are responsible for studying all relevant aspects of power systems falling within their field of activity, and for organizing and leading discussion sessions during CIGRE-WA sessions. They are also responsible for preparing the participation of CIGRE-WA Experts in CIGRE Study Committee meetings, in particular by taking the concerns of their power system to a higher level.

Each of the 16 Study Committees has well-defined terms of reference which serve as a roadmap for the preparation and implementation of their work. The Expert Committees must meet regularly.

Purpose of the CIGRE WA Study Committee kick-off meeting

The CIGRE WA Study Committee kick-off meeting aims to present the objectives, roles, and responsibilities of the various study committees, as well as the members who sit on them. Participants will also discuss the topics to be addressed by each study committee, as well as working methods and collaboration between members.

The meeting will bring together some fifty experts from power utilities in West African countries.