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Power, water and energy in focus at African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa

The capture and storage of carbon along with other cleaner coal technologies remain critical considerations to help South Africa continue using its coal resources in an environmentally responsible way. (Image source: African Utility Week)

The 19th edition of the African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa 2019 gathered a wide range of power, water and gas industry experts in Cape Town, South Africa from 14-16 May

Major highlights from the conference:

Keynote address by Minister Jeff Radebe

South Africa’s Energy Minister Jeff Radebe delivered the opening keynote address at the conference. Minister Radebe stressed that the capture and storage of carbon along with other cleaner coal technologies remain critical considerations to help South Africa continue using its coal resources in an environmentally responsible way. “The timing of the transition to a low carbon economy, in line with our accession to the Paris Agreement, must be in a manner that is not insensitive to the potential impacts on jobs and local economies.”

Africa CEO Forum

More than 30 Africa utility CEO’s took part in the forum. The CEOs held workshops and discussions aimed at strengthening the African energy sector.

Next-gen utility leaders

A team of students from Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya walked off as winners for an innovative concept to provide equitable energy access to remote villages based on “Uber (ising) solar energy.”

The team’s concept included putting a solar panelled container in rural villages that will also house a clinic and a knowledge hub like a school for vocational training to teach people about the use and benefits of solar energy. It will also include a shop where villagers can buy daily essentials like milk.

“The school will help with capacity building as villagers will see and learn benefits of electricity and as the business grows, they will want to have electricity in their homes and when that point comes, we will have solar powered tricycles.”

Student teams from, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwaterand and Stellenbosch University also took part in the three-day inaugural edition of the Initiate! Impact Challenge.

African power, energy and water industry awards

Notable achievements in the African power and energy industry were celebrated during the gala dinner/award ceremony.

Wondimu Tekle Sigo, Ethiopia’s former state minister in the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy. He has been acknowledged for the design and construction of various infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of a rural electrification programme for more than 6000 towns and tackling water shortages by increasing the water supply of the city around the Dire water reservoir dam from 240,000 cu/m to 400 000 cu/m per day.

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Evolving concept of energy security must address energy demand, system flexibility, technology access and infrastructure development, says IRENA. (Image source: IRENA)

World Bank & African Development Bank partner to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, leveraging public-private investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

At WFES, Gotion High-tech will showcase its latest products and leading green energy solutions at its booth. (Image source: Gotion High-tech)

The new Perkins 5012 is a full-authority electronic engine optimised and purpose-built for power generation applications. (Image source: Perkins)

SSAB will begin deliveries of the new products in 2026.

The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Hyphen is developing sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, most advanced and only fully-vertical integrated green hydrogen project. (Image source: Hyphen)

According to Liebherr, the Used Equipment Marketplace is extremely user-friendly. (Image source: Liebherr)

Electricity storage will be pivotal in unlocking renewable projects and meeting energy demand. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Africa Data Centres and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State. (Image source: Africa Data Centres)

A Cat PM310 Cold Planer in action. (Image source: Caterpillar)

A larger stockholding of WEG products facilitates ready access for customers. (Image source: WEG Africa)

African nations have turned to the concept of power pools to address the continent's energy deficit and foster regional cooperation. (Image source: Synergy Consulting)

Dietmar Siersdorfer is expanding his role as Middle East managing director at Siemens Energy to include Africa. (Image source: Siemens Energy)

The Msikaba Bridge has anchor blocks 17 m wide which contain around 21,000 tons of concrete. (Image source: Sanral)