This includes the renewable energy study, the renewable energy readiness assessment, a massive national sensitization campaign on energy efficiency, enactment of the renewable energy law, and other energy-related aspects.
All these efforts are geared towards maximal exploitation of indigenous energy resources, and the efficient utilization of limited energy resources to achieve universal energy access and sustainable energy for all.
However, to consolidate on the above-mentioned gains in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sub-sector, there is need for a clear action plan, which would show the direction for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country.
PS Njie, speaking at the ECOWAS Energy validation workshop, said to have good and informed action plan, there must be significant baseline data that would enable the action plan to lay the roadmap.
Therefore, the validation workshop was to lay the foundation for their future work in renewable energy and energy efficiency sub-sector, and it was the aim of the Gambia government that solid foundation is laid for the sub-sector.
According to Mr Njie, following the adoption of the regional policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and energy efficiency is supporting member countries to localize and implement the regional policies at the national level.
This was evident by the work of the consultant, which led to validating of the national baseline data report prepared within the process, and strategy of the development of a national renewable energy and energy efficiency action plans for The Gambia, which is within the overall framework of sustainable energy for all.
“We are gathered to critically review and officially validate the baseline report comprising data collected for the development of the action plans,” PS Njie said.
This development comes against the backdrop of encouraging advances made in sustainable energy development in the ECOWAS region, he added.