Last week, around 20 representatives from key energy institutions in the Republic of Congo gathered in Brazzaville for a high-level training workshop focused on electricity market reforms and renewable energy regulation. The training brought together participants from the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics (MEH), Directorate General of Energy (DGE), the National Rural Electrification Agency (ANER), the Electricity Sector Regulator (ARSEL), the Electricity Sector Development Fund (FDSEL), the National Electricity Utility (E2C), and the Oyo Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CEO).
The expert exchange helped to strengthen capacities of sector stakeholders on electricity market reforms, with particular emphasis on regulatory frameworks applicable to renewable energy projects. Through presentations, practical examples, and regional case studies, participants explored different electricity market models, stages of market liberalisation, and mechanisms to encourage private sector participation in renewable energy development.
Day one focused on building a common understanding of electricity market structures and investment models, including tendering processes, Feed-in Tariffs (FiT), and net metering approaches. Discussions also highlighted policy and financial levers that can stimulate private investment in the sector.
On the second day, participants examined renewable energy power plant case studies, risk mitigation strategies, and the development cycle of public-private partnership (PPP) projects. They also delved into regional experiences in distributed generation and off-grid electrification.
The workshop resulted in strengthened institutional coordination, enhanced understanding of renewable energy investment frameworks, and increased readiness for electricity market reforms and the national energy transition. It also marked the first concrete activity implemented by GET.transform in Congo, culminating in a roadmap for follow-on technical assistance, including support to the revision of the Electricity Code and the development of an Independent Power Producer (IPP) regulatory framework.
