NEWS

The Republic of Senegal, with support from the African Energy Commission (AFREC) and technical assistance from the European Union (EU) funded Continental Energy Programme in Africa (CEPA), has developed a new National Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (NEESAP) to improve its energy productivity. This was alongside introducing Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) Guidelines and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) adapted to the Senegal context. 

The Agency for Energy Economy and Management (AEME) under Senegal’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum presented the results to around 60 representatives from government institutions, the private sector, financial institutions, professional bodies, and development partners in Dakar on 10 September. Stakeholders reviewed the proposed NEESAP, action plan and building-efficiency instruments and provided recommendations to strengthen their alignment with Senegal’s national priorities.

Senegal, one of four countries in the first pilot phase, alongside Burundi, Madagascar and Zimbabwe, could through this modelling process increase its energy productivity and exceed continental targets established under the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (AfEES).“The results of the modelling show that Senegal has the strategic and operational levers to increase its energy productivity by 70% by 2050 and 100% by 2063, thereby exceeding the continental targets,” said Mame Coumba Ndiaye, Director General of AEME.

Energy Efficiency is being positioned as a key component of Senegal’s long-term energy transition and development agenda as the country faces rising energy demand, increasing energy costs, rapid urbanisation and the need to improve economic competitiveness. 

Lessons generated from Senegal and the other three pilot countries will be used to refine the methodology and inform its wider application across African Union Member States, while enabling participating to share experiences and solutions through peer learning.