In September 2005, the Center for Energy Economics was awarded a $3.5 million cooperative agreement to continue work with the Resource Center for Energy Economics and Regulation (RCEER) in Ghana. The RCEER, established in summer of 2004 is CEE's Local Educational Partner. Read more on RCEER and CEE accomplishments under the Energy Sector Governance grant on CEE USAID Grant Page. As part of the agreement, CEE and RCEER will focus on capacity building and public education to contribute into Ghana 's efforts of developing a natural gas market framework.

The scope of the current cooperative agreement, however, extends beyond our work in Ghana and includes:

• Replication of the Ghana model. Although it is too early to conclude that the LEP model implemented in Ghana is an unqualified success, we can already see some improvements in performance of energy professionals, energy reporting in the media, albeit limited in quantity. Under the new agreement, we will replicate the model and establish similar resource centers in other countries, both in Africa and other regions, particularly Latin America. The CEE has been working with its colleagues in Nigeria, for example, regarding establishment of a similar partnership. Our ultimate goal would be to have a network of resource centers worldwide which will support and develop each other.
  
  
• Extend the Smart Development Initiative. The CEE continues to refine its "smart development" variables and metrics and incorporate these into our international partnerships, capacity building through the New Era platform, and training and development for USAID personnel.

In addition to these tasks, the CEE will be able to provide training, development and other assistance on oil, natural gas, and electric power value creation to USAID mission personnel.

This grant also opens many opportunities to build stronger, more prominent linkages between our activities and our corporate network. We are currently exploring establishment of a "Global Development Alliance" to supplement activities and funding provided by this agreement, starting with the narrowly defined mission of development of a functioning natural gas market framework in Ghana. We believe that by partnering with the industry and other GDA partners and pooling our resources, we will improve chances of success.

See Smart Development Initiative accomplishments