ENLIT AFRICA TO ADDRESS AFRICAN POWER SECTOR CONCERNS AROUND ENERGY TRANSITION
COP26 was a ‘mixed bag’ for developing countries, unlocking some much-needed funding mechanisms, even as it under-delivered in other areas. The issue of funding is one that has been high on the international agenda for many years, along with the shortfall between pledges made to aid with climate adaption and mitigation and what was actually realised.
Coming away from COP26, the shift in the discussion around financing was highlighted by an agreement between the United State, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU) and South Africa to decarbonise South Africa’s energy sector and finance mitigation measures to protect against job losses in the sector.
A just energy transition
As the largest emitter of carbon in Africa, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal will demonstrate that a shift from a heavily coal-dependant country to a decarbonised one is not only possible, but that it can be done without sacrificing economic growth.
The keynote sessions of Enlit Africa [formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa] [7-9 June 2022], will focus on understanding the finance options, the priorities and the roadmap of the JETP. But more importantly, the discussions expand the conversation across the continent, asking how finance of that magnitude can be mobilised to support Africa’s energy transition.
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It’s all about collaboration
The theme for this year’s event – Collaboration to fast forward Africa’s energy transition – recognises that collaborative efforts will drive the energy transition. Collaboration between public sector and private sector; between utilities, regulators and government; across generation to distribution, from manufacturer to financier to end user – all have a role to play in ensuring the energy system of tomorrow is sustainable, affordable and achievable.
More broadly, the realities of Africa in transition need to be considered and carefully planned to avoid a multitude of challenges. These include not adding to the debt burden of African countries in order to meet climate ambitions; and recognition that as the continent that contributes the least to global emissions, Africa is in a unique position to ask for meaningful financial and technical contributions from the international community.
Attendees and exhibitors at Enlit Africa represent the leading suppliers, experts and energy professionals from Africa and around the world, offering an opportunity to network and engage with utilities, municipalities, OEMs, government, regulators, EPC, developers, financiers and the entire energy ecosystem.
A deep dive into topics of importance
Conference sessions focused on alternative funding mechanisms and public private partnerships will address some of the questions around financing, while roundtable discussions will provide an opportunity for attendees to dig deeper into the plethora of climate funds and opportunities for impact investment and discuss the ever important question of risk allocation and mitigation.
Generation from both traditional and renewable energy will include discussions on efforts being made to convert existing power generation plant, electrification projects and alternative generation options such as offshore wind and hybrid systems. The attendees will also discuss how disruptive renewable energy systems are providing an element of security for industrial and commercial concerns around the continent as a means of addressing power outages and unreliable supply.
Commercial and industrial delegates will get to explore the role of energy storage, wheeling tariffs at municipalities and self-generation. All of these discussions will provide tangible, actionable steps for those entities interested in generating their own electricity and explain how energy storage will underpin the shift to more renewable energy integration for municipalities, utilities and private generators.
Information about the programme, speaker line up, networking, roundtable and site visit opportunities can be found by visiting https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/programme
Disruptive technologies
An entire section of the programme will be dedicated to the role of storage in the power sector, including how to integrate battery energy storage systems [BESS] at a municipal level, storage, renewable energy and society; and the role that new generation and storage is playing in Africa’s mining sector.
Appreciating the technical, financial and logistical opportunities and areas of caution will provide utilities, governments and all power sector players the ability to plan an energy transition that addresses the objectives of SDG7 and meets Nationally Determined Contributions announced during COP26. Additionally, it will also open up avenues for new business models. Specifically, the conference will focus on the development of the hydrogen economy, understanding the development of national hydrogen strategies and the economic structures and pricing that will support it.
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Back at the CTICC
Enlit Africa will return to the CTICC in Cape Town with a world-class exhibition, showcasing the latest technology and services on offer in the sector. Known for its compelling content and speakers, the organisers will not disappoint, with two keynotes and most of the content presented in speaking hubs on the expo floor. Conference delegates will also be able to enjoy the networking and site visits that the event has popularised for over two decades. Strict health and safety COVID-19 protocols will be observed.
Industry support
Eskom, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the City of Cape Town have been official hosting partners of the event for many years and 2022 will be no exception.
ESI Africa, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.
Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) is Africa’s leading exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant, accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.
Enlit Africa is organised by The Vuka Group (formerly Clarion Events Africa), a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include DRC Mining Week, Africa Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week, Smarter Mobility Africa, ECOM and CEM Africa.