The African Utility Week has announced that Power Africa, US President Barack Obama’s initiative to improve access to power in sub-Saharan Africa, will be the official country partner of the upcoming conference and expo in Cape Town, South Africa.
The conference and expo brings together utility professionals from across the globe to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power and water industries.
Power Africa works with African governments, the private sector, and other partners to add more than 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity as well as increase electricity access by adding 60 million new home and business connections throughout all of sub-Saharan Africa.
The 15th African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa is expected to again attract more than 5000 attendees and feature 250 exhibitors, 190 speakers, eight conferences, free technical workshops on the expo floor, three high-profile plenary sessions and the coveted industry awards gala dinner.
Andrew Herscowitz, Coordinator for Power Africa, says: “President Obama launched Power Africa in Cape Town in late June 2013 and it is therefore fitting that we will gather and engage Africa in Cape Town in May, to talk about solutions and partnering with African utilities to connect Africa to the global grid.”
He adds: “we are excited to participate and engage with thousands of power professionals from around the continent gathering at African Utility Week to discuss their shared challenges and how they can work together to improve the way Africans live and work. We look forward to continuing to be part of this on-going conversation and making a difference in the African power sector.”
African Utility Week event director Evan Schiff says “African Utility Week is the right place for Power Africa to engage with stakeholders as there are strong synergies between our respective strategies on the continent.
This is the only ‘in territory’ event, that Power Africa will be participating in, with US exhibitors supported by the US Commercial Services and Power Africa partners like USAID,OPIC, EXIM Bank, US Department of State, US Department of Energy and the Power Africa Private Partners. We therefore share a common goal with clear objectives.”
He continues: “African utilities have been gathering at African Utility Week for 15 years, engaging with their peers to find African solutions to African challenges in the power sector. International partners have participated in this conversation and added best of breed technology and financial solutions. Long term strategic partnerships between initiatives and organisations like Power Africa and African Utility Week therefore are in Africa’s interest.”
By Yemisi Izuora