Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – In a significant stride towards enhancing energy efficiency in The Gambia, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has partnered with the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MOPE), the Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to inaugurate two state-of-the-art energy efficiency light testing laboratories.

These advanced facilities, including a sphere energy efficiency testing laboratory and a photogoniometer light testing laboratory, were established with the support of ECREEE to bolster the country’s energy efficiency testing capabilities. The establishment of these laboratories was funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through UNIDO, underscoring the international collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable energy practices in The Gambia.

These laboratories are equipped to conduct comprehensive tests on various types of lighting, including domestic, industrial, commercial, and airport lights, ensuring they meet the established Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). This project also entailed the development and approval of MEPS and energy performance labeling in The Gambia, with ECREEE serving as the project execution partner for the Quality Assurance component.

At the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Papa Secka, Director of the Gambia Standards Bureau, expressed his gratitude to all partners involved. He highlighted the pivotal role these laboratories will play in preventing the importation of obsolete equipment, thus safeguarding the country’s energy efficiency goals. Mr. Secka also emphasized The Gambia’s commitment to making these facilities available to all ECOWAS member states for light testing, fostering regional cooperation.

Her Excellency Madam Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative, speaking on behalf of ECREEE Executive Director Mr. Jean Francis Sempore, remarked that the inauguration of these laboratories comes at a crucial time for the region. She stressed that these facilities will ensure quality assurance, enhance market capacities, and protect the region from non-efficient equipment. This initiative showcases ECOWAS’s steadfast support for its member states in their pursuit of clean and sustainable development.

The establishment of these cutting-edge laboratories marks a significant milestone in The Gambia’s energy sector, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency. Through these efforts, The Gambia and its ECOWAS partners are poised to lead the region towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.