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Exciting news for investors, financiers, and industry stakeholders: the programme brochure for Enlit Africa 2024 has just dropped! Circle the dates 21st-23rd May 2024 –these are the days the Cape Town International Convention Centre becomes the nexus for all things power, energy and water in Africa.



This iteration of the event once again provides insights into the foundational pillars of finance, investment, and management, amidst the broader exploration of smart energy solutions, transmission, distribution, and water – a crucial resource tightly interwoven with the provision of power across Africa.



Delegates from the finance sector will find unparalleled value in this year&#8217;s strategic tracks. Tailored sessions promise to deliver cutting-edge insights into emerging markets, investment strategies, and financial models driving the energy transition.



New this year are pitch sessions from start-ups and companies in search of capital. The Pitch Stage provides an exceptional opportunity to explore projects, carefully curated and vetted, from a variety of exciting entrepreneurs.



For exhibition visitors and conference attendees alike, the open-to-all complimentary CPD-accredited programmes – are perfect for broadening your knowledge within the energy landscape.



The Renewable Energy and Storage Hub spotlights opportunities ripe for investment. Corporates in the C&amp;I sphere keen on diversifying their energy portfolios will discover an array of solutions and content that speak to sustainability, resilience, and profit margins.



The Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Hub offers pragmatic, efficiency-enhancing solutions applicable to utilities and municipalities alike. 2024 sees the return of the Municipal Forum, an arena for addressing fiscal and infrastructural challenges that South African municipalities face.



A reminder to our professional community that these sessions grant CPD points in partnership with the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, adding another layer of value to your participation.



The exclusive, invite-only CEO Forum is where industry visionaries and financial leaders will converge, unlocking doors to collaborative ventures and shaping investment trends.



For those who enjoy the tangible aspects of energy and water in action, our site visits on the 24th May provide a clear view of practical outcomes across dynamic energy and water sites amidst the stunning Cape Town landscape.



Enlit Africa 2024 is almost here. It’s the ideal platform for networking in the energy sector. Download the conference programme today to curate your experience and secure your delegate ticket or free expo pass now. Position yourself at the leading edge of Africa&#8217;s energy transition, where you can add your voice to determining the path to a sustainable and prosperous future. Join us at Enlit Africa 2024! <a href="http://www.enlit-africa.com">www.enlit-africa.com</a>



Please use the following links: Join us at Enlit Africa, get your free visitor pass: <a href="https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kZN20">https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kZN20</a>



Unlock more opportunities, get your delegate pass: <a href="https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kYRv0">https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kYRv0</a>



Let’s evolve the power, energy and water landscape, download the programme: <a href="https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kXrZ0">https://eu1.hubs.ly/H08kXrZ0</a>

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Navigating Africa’s Energy and Water Transition: Highlights from Enlit Africa 2024 Programme

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="620" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-820x620.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-465039" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-820x620.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-300x227.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-119x90.jpg 119w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-768x581.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1-1536x1162.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Amith-Singh-1.jpg 1572w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Amith Singh, Head of Energy Finance at Nedbank</figcaption></figure>



&#8216;South Africa’s energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as independent power producers (IPPs) and offtakers seek new ways to access reliable and affordable electricity. As this quest intensifies, a pivotal player has emerged: the energy aggregator,&#8217; writes Amith Singh, Head of Energy Finance at Nedbank.



Mining, a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, is undergoing an energy revolution driven by the need for energy security, tariff certainty and decarbonisation. Energy aggregators are the key players behind this evolution.



Aggregators are entities that bridge the gap between electricity generators and consumers. They buy electricity from multiple IPPs and sell it to various offtakers, including mining companies, industrial users, municipalities, and even Eskom. Their modus operandi involves using the existing transmission and distribution grid to &#8216;wheel&#8217; power from generation points to consumption sites, all while paying a wheeling fee to the grid operator. By combining the demand of multiple consumers into a single large volume, aggregators can negotiate better tariffs and terms with the renewable energy generators.



Since aggregators typically work with commercial and industrial consumers, their model also makes sense for mining and industrial companies with a multitude of sites. Negotiating bilateral deals for each mine with IPPs is time-consuming, and aggregators can help them to scale much faster. This model may also provide some flexibility in tenor of the power purchase agreement (PPA).



The percentage of renewable electricity that mines can achieve will be much higher if they use an aggregator to mix and match different projects to supply their energy. It’s hard to imagine the energy sector progressing without aggregators optimising distribution and enhancing market efficiency and accessibility.



The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, currently before the National Assembly, aims to create a competitive electricity market and points the way to a distributed model with multiple buyers and methods of generation.



However, in South Africa, our energy mix still has the highest carbon intensity in the world since Eskom electricity is produced primarily through coal-fired generation. Expert calculations suggest the least-cost development plan for a reliable and affordable electricity supply in South Africa involves a massive overbuild of solar, lots of wind and storage capacity, and natural gas as a form of peaking or mid-merit power.



It is in this landscape that aggregators will be a fundamental part of a liberalised energy market, not only for large consumers such as mines and industrial users, but for everyone. The change is already well underway. South African’s energy crisis coincided with the global climate crisis, forcing major industrial and mining complexes to make net-zero commitments. The result is accelerating procurement of new capacity on a scale that is consistent with the growth of renewable energy projects around the world.



Most of the utility-scale projects with an aggregator model are at various stages of implementation with an expected capacity of more than 10 GW. The Energy Council of South Africa estimates that the connection of new utility wind and solar projects will continue to scale up.



The stakes are high as mining accounts for about 8% of GDP and 40% of foreign currency inflows. And while decarbonisation is necessary for the planet, it is also existential because customers in the mining industry expect mines to do it.



Beyond mining, decarbonised electricity is vital for anyone in the exporting business, and part of a big global corporation or raising finance internationally. Most of the mining companies are aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2030, and some by 2050.



For now, and probably for quite a while, a renewable energy supply will also deliver savings. But it might be a challenge for some companies to sign 15-year or 20-year power PPAs because of the unwanted effects on their financial results and balance sheets. One of the benefits introcuced by the aggregator model is the flexibility in respect of the PPA/offtake agreement tenor as the aggregators will have portfolios of offtakers among which they can reallocate the power in case some of the short PPAs/offtake agreements are not renewed.



In this market, IPPs will focus on providing long-term sustainable generation opportunities to aggregators or traders as alternatives to Eskom or bilateral deals with large offtakers. For now, this is a fledgling market that is growing substantially, and we will see more projects closing in the near future.



As the market matures, aggregators will become more efficient in offering flexibility to offtakers in mining and elsewhere. They will be able to financially derisk projects, physically derisk them through demand and supply diversification, and provide system stability to utilities and customers.



With multiple sites, technologies and geographies, full ecosystem optimisation becomes possible. The excess energy that is often present in a bilateral PPA is reduced and costs fall.



It’s foreseeable that a fully fledged trading and aggregation market will go forward as it will provide offer energy users with affordable power while at the same time assisting them to meet their decorbaisation commitments.



In most of the renewables projects that Nedbank finances, there is some element of grid construction, and the private sector has been able to do it efficiently and use the funding of the total project costs to provide it. We know the Energy Council and the National Energy Crisis Committee (Necom) are in discussions with Eskom about privatisation models for grid construction, and we hope the private sector can play a role in the new National Transmission Company (NTCSA) and also in the implementation of the plans outlined in the Eskom Transmission Development Plan.



It will also be important to understand the NTCSA’s costs because the sustainability of the grid is what makes aggregation work. We have to enable transmission and distribution to ensure we have supply certainty over long periods and more capacity to solve the massive grid issue. We must also remember that a significant portion of &#8216;last mile&#8217; infrastructure belongs to municipalities, where the risk is large.



The wider risks lie around the novelty of this system. Aggregators are new in the market, and it will take a little time before they work efficiently. Investors faced with these intermediary entities will have to make sure they can be trusted and are well managed. And there is an element of risk in the regulatory framework that is covering issues such as the wheeling system, wheeling rules, and access to the grid. If regulations change disruptively, it will be seen as a risk by investors.



The Necom working groups and Eskom are working hard on the new market rules and, while nothing has been finalised as yet, there is clarity on the objectives.



We have the benefit of learning from other countries that have already liberalised their energy markets (i.e. European countries), and we can use their markets as our reference point in our journey to reberalise the South African electricity market.



For now, companies that can offer balance sheet guarantees are driving these projects, but ultimately the benefits that aggregators offer will be felt by every South African.



As Nedbank CIB, the lead financier in the energy space, we fully support the aggregator model and are already leading financing projects on the aggregator model.

Amith-Singh-1

The critical role played by aggregators in mining decarbonisation

As South Africans continue to face the burden of power challenges, the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions has reached unprecedented levels. While the PV energy solution has emerged as a robust leading technology for commerce, industry, and manufacturing, the financial burdens imposed are significant, especially for SME business owners. This has led to various innovative options emerging, promising access to clean energy.



Commercial and industrial businesses across the spectrum from small to medium enterprises to large corporates find it easier to justify funding these solutions, as they have become a necessity to trade, versus measures taken to contribute to climate matters or just convenience. The immediate arbitrage benefits that solar provides, battery costs dropping gradually, and its application to load shifting the overall backup solution presents greater viability. Any business can benefit from these solutions, however for businesses spending copious amounts on fuel for generators because of load shedding, the adoption of these systems is an essential consideration. These solutions aid in solving for supply interruptions while also providing partial insulation from tariff hikes.



One of the main incentives for business is that the payback period on capital investments has reduced steadily as energy tariffs have risen. Research shows that between 2007 and 2022, the Eskom tariff increased by 653%, effectively quadrupling the cost of power in 14 years. In April 2023, Eskom applied to NERSA for a 32% increase, indicating that this trend is not likely to change. This payback benefit has further been amplified by the recently passed amendment to the 12BA tax incentive, which allows businesses an accelerated wear and tear allowance on Solar PV investments of 125% in the first year.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Naturally, the need for financial solutions is a given requirement in this environment and the PV market has evolved rapidly. The current operating environment has seen financial institutions and solution providers offering various financing options. Standard Bank has been solutioning for this with cutting edge Solar PV and battery finance solutions to the market through its <a href="https://www.standardbank.co.za/southafrica/business/products-and-services/borrow-for-your-needs/vehicle-and-asset-finance">Commercial Asset Finance</a> division, for several years now. Opportunities to fund projects present themselves in numerous formats from clients who wish to own their own systems to independent power producers (IPP’s) who sell power.



Standard Bank has also recently provided digital platforms, <a href="https://powerpulse.standardbank.co.za/">PowerPulse</a> for commercial and industrial clients, and LookSee for residential and SME clients. &nbsp;Using these tools clients can source tailored and credible Solar PV and battery solutions. The journey entails a guided path to support clients in not falling into one of the many pitfalls that exist in the Solar PV market currently. It has proven to be a useful resource in shortening the client’s decision-making process through simplification. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Against this outlook, the options for acquiring clean energy have increased. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but allows opportunities for the most suitable to be selected. In the list below, the solutions offered by outright purchase, solar loans or solar subscriptions would be the most obvious choice. Options now open include:



1. Outright Purchase: Purchasing a solar installation outright allows complete ownership and control over the system. The benefits are long-term energy savings and even an opportunity to sell excess electricity back to the grid in areas where this is implemented. For smaller enterprises, however, the capital outlay can be problematic and solutions for clients in this category are now available through collaboration with the government in the <a href="https://www.standardbank.co.za/southafrica/business/products-and-services/borrow-for-your-needs/business-loans/business-solar-loan">Bounce Back Energy Loan</a> programme which has been launched.&nbsp;



2. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): A popular choice among South Africans, PPAs involve energy companies installing and retaining ownership of the solar system. The purchaser then buys the generated electricity at a predetermined rate, often lower than prevailing utility rates. PPAs require minimal upfront costs, making solar energy more accessible to a wider range of users. Solution providers in this environment are focussed mainly on C&amp;I clients.



3. &nbsp;Solar Leasing: Involving an agreement with a solar company, solar leasing offers reduced electricity costs during the lease term without owning the system outright. Options for buying the solar assets at the end of the lease may be available.



With the ever-increasing gap between supply costs and earnings at Eskom, the need for alternative energy sources becomes even more critical. Solar installations offer a promising avenue for reducing the strain on the national utility, and widespread adoption of PV systems will play a pivotal role in driving this energy revolution.



As the solar industry matures, more flexible and imaginative financing options are emerging, making solar energy accessible to a broader spectrum of users. The future of renewable energy in South Africa is undoubtedly bright, and with continued innovative approaches, solar power will pave the way to a greener and more financially sustainable future for all.



<a href="https://www.standardbank.co.za/southafrica/business/products-and-services/borrow-for-your-needs/business-loans/business-solar-loan">Click here</a> to learn more about Standard Bank’s Energy Bounce-Back Loan Scheme for businesses.

GoSolar

Solar pricing alternatives for business are now adding impetus to South Africa’s energy revolution.

Africa is a continent that is bearing the brunt of the devastating impact of climate change, yet it has contributed the least to global emissions. The low carbon output reflects Africa’s crippling energy deficit which has stymied industrialisation and economic development.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600.png" alt="" class="wp-image-417164" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600.png 800w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-300x225.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-120x90.png 120w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-768x576.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Enlit Africa</figcaption></figure>



A new report from the Africa Finance Corporation sets out the continent’s stance of balancing the need for emissions reduction with critical development imperatives as Africa starts to look to net-zero.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/">Enlit Africa (the unifying brand for African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) invites you to join the conversation 7-9 June 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa</a><a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">.</a> <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">REGISTER TODAY</a>. 



“While renewable sources are the ultimate goal, Africa must also exploit its abundant reserves of natural gas as an essential transitional source of energy to support industrialisation – a position backed by the European Commission’s recent decision to classify natural gas as a form of green energy and a vital transition fuel in the path towards decarbonisation,” says the report.



A role for gas?



This is a position supported by <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa 2022</a> (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa), and one that will receive coverage at the event as delegates explore the topic of gas masterplans and the role of gas across the energy transition. <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/speakers">Speakers</a> sharing their thoughts on the role of gas include Thabang Audat, Chief Director: Planning, from the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Electricity. He is supported by Craig Morkel, Gas Economy Leadership Group Chairperson for the SA Oil and Gas Alliance, Hasnayn Ebrahim, MD, Africa Infrastructure Advisors and Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner, Namibian Department of Minerals and Energy.



But the development of gas markets is not limited to that of natural gas only – but includes the possibilities to be explored through the development of a hydrogen market – not only as a source of primary energy, but also as a commodity for an export market.



Alternative fuels



This will form the basis of discussions at Enlit Africa around the development of a hydrogen market in Africa, plans to commercialise hydrogen and what the considerations are when it comes to pricing hydrogen.&nbsp; Joining this conversation are Siggi Huegemann, Chairman, African Hydrogen Partnership; Hendrik Louw, CEO, Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, and representative from the Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa



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 href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today.</a>



The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimates that the cost of structural damage caused by natural disasters in Africa will climb to $145bn a year by 2030. The continent thus needs strong and resulting buildings to rebuild ocean and river defences and infrastructure in transport, construction of electricity grids and off-grid energy. This will in turn help develop sustainable mining and the circular economy that could drive growth and job creation.



The focus of the Energy Storage and Alternative Solutions sessions during Enlit Africa will focus on how alternative energy source such as renewable energies, are providing certainty and energy security to mines and other large industrial concerns, not only in the case of loadshedding, but also in response to the effects of climate change. However, the conversation will also focus on opportunities to utilise renewable energy to bring electricity to clinics and communities and how collaboration between mines and the communities surrounding them can be beneficial for all.



Innovation



In order to effect change, Africa-based institutions like the IFC need access to essential climate funds through financial innovation to support resilient building and investment in localised mass-scale manufacturing and processing. The IFC’s Green City Action Plan is one such initiative. Speaking at Enlit Africa,&nbsp; representatives from the IFC will share how, by working with the City of Ekhuruleni, they have developed a Green City Action Plan that sets out actions that can help CoE meet its climate mitigation and sustainability targets. The Green City Action Plan leverages a new IFC platform, APEX, which is supported by the APEX Online Application Tool that helps quantify and prioritise policy and investment solutions across four key sectors: energy, transport, water, and waste.



Innovative finance mechanisms and unpacking the reality of the just energy transition for Africa are topics of discussion at Enlit Africa. <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today</a>. 



Information about the programme, speaker line up, networking, roundtable and site visit opportunities can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/programme">https://www.enlit-africa.com/programme</a>.



Back at the CTICC <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa 2022</a> 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. <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESI Africa</a>, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa)</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearevuka.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vuka Group&nbsp;</a>(formerly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.clarioneventsafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clarion Events Africa</a>), 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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drcminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DRC Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africaminingforum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africa Mining Forum</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nigeriaminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigeria Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://generationehq.com/smarter-mobility-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smarter Mobility Africa</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecommerce-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECOM</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://cemafricasummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEM Africa</a>.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/">Enlit Africa (the unifying brand for African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) invites you to join the conversation 7-9 June 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa</a><a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">.</a> <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today</a>.

CNBC-article-2-_800x600

The role of gas in Africa’s energy sector is just one of the strategic angles being pursued at Enlit Africa

<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="628" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-416689" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1.png 1200w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-300x157.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-820x429.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-160x84.png 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-768x402.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure></div>



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,&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa [formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa]&nbsp;[7-9 June 2022]</a>, will focus on understanding the finance options, the priorities and the roadmap of the&nbsp;JETP. But more importantly,&nbsp;the discussions expand the conversation across the continent, asking how finance of that magnitude can be mobilised to support Africa’s energy transition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://bit.ly/3MwqMM9">REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND AS A DELEGATE</a></h2>



It&#8217;s all about collaboration



The theme for this year’s event – Collaboration to fast forward Africa’s energy transition – recognises that collaborative efforts will&nbsp;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 &#8211; 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&nbsp;discussions on efforts being made to convert existing power generation plant,&nbsp;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,&nbsp;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 <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/programme">https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/programme</a>



Disruptive technologies



An entire section of the programme will be dedicated to the role of storage in the power sector, including how to&nbsp;integrate battery energy storage systems [BESS] at a municipal level,&nbsp;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.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-register-here-for-free-exhibition-pass"><a href="https://bit.ly/3LlkZsH">REGISTER HERE FOR FREE EXHIBITION PASS</a></h2>



Back at the CTICC <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa</a> 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. <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESI Africa</a>, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa)</a> 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.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa</a> is organised by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearevuka.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vuka Group&nbsp;</a>(formerly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.clarioneventsafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clarion Events Africa</a>), 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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drcminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DRC Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africaminingforum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africa Mining Forum</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nigeriaminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigeria Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://generationehq.com/smarter-mobility-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smarter Mobility Africa</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecommerce-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECOM</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://cemafricasummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEM Africa</a>.



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renewable energy

Africa Business Weekly: Africa financial industry shaky, focus on resilience, says ex-CBK Governor

Africa Business Weekly: JSE recorded 30% y/y growth in 2024

Africa Business Weekly: Senegal’s Amadou Hott pitches for AfDB presidency

Africa Business Weekly: Delayed: The VAT hike that broke the budget

What reforms will aid Africa’s financial architecture restructuring?

Mantashe: Africa must lead in defining critical minerals

Africa Business Weekly: DeepSeek: Friend or foe for tech industry?

Africa Business Weekly: Nigeria’s Foreign Minister speaks to BRICS partnership

Africa Business Weekly: Addressing rising debt costs in developing countries

Africa Business Weekly: Ghana decides 2024: Will policy reforms be sustained post election?

Focus On: Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024

Taxing the super-rich: A global tax on high networth individuals

Navigating Africa’s Energy and Water Transition: Highlights from Enlit Africa 2024 Programme

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The role of gas in Africa’s energy sector is just one of the strategic angles being pursued at Enlit Africa

ENLIT AFRICA TO ADDRESS AFRICAN POWER SECTOR CONCERNS AROUND ENERGY TRANSITION

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Advertise With Us

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