A large, high-level Chinese delegation led by Wang Zhixuan, Secretary General of the China Electricity Council (CEC), will be participating at Energex Africa to explore opportunities with local partners in Africas energy sector. CEC is a consolidated organisation of all Chinas power enterprises and institutions, with over 1440 members.
Energex Africa, in partnership with the City of Joburg, takes place from 7 to 9 June at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg.
This announcement follows hot on the heels of President Jacob Zuma's visit in April to China, where he attended a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Leaders' Summit, following South Africa's recent admission to the group of emerging economies. This was followed by an announcement by the China Development Bank that it will channel $1.5bn to China's BRICS partners to fund infrastructure projects.
"Africa's trade with China has reached unprecedented levels, up more than 1000 per cent from 11 years ago," says John Thomson, Managing Director of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of Energex Africa. "Sino-Africa trade reached $126.9bn last year. China has now surpassed Germany as South Africa's number one trading partner," he added.
A joint statement by the BRICS Business Forum 2011, issued after the BRICS Leaders' Summit, advocates the implementation of sustainable energy strategies, diversification of energy generation, stabilisation of resource supply, and the development of energy-saving and emission reduction technologies. "We support investment in new energy and infrastructure, and we encourage strengthened co-ordination and co-operation in this sector," said the statement.
"South Africa's recent admission to the BRICS bloc of emerging economies is highly serendipitous, as many of the energy issues BRICS members agree on are central to those being explored at Energex Africa," continues Thomson.
CEC will lead a group of top Chinese power companies to participate at Energex Africa. These include organisations in the area of power generation, transmission and distribution. Their offerings range from conventional thermal and hydro power generation, to renewable energy such as wind and solar power.
Some of the companies participating at Energex Africa provide fourth generation nuclear power technologies that are safer, more efficient and economical. Others provide world-class products and cutting-edge technologies in environmental protection, power communication, automation and energy conservation.
China Guodian Corporation is one of the five biggest power generators in China. Its power resources include coal, water, wind and biomass generation. Coal-fired capacity comprises 84 per cent of total generation. The company is highly progressive in its renewable energy development. It's the largest wind power operator in Asia and the fifth largest in the world.
The company's core business includes investment, development, construction, operation and management of power stations, and the sale of power and heat. It is also involved in coal supply, generation equipment, new energy technology, transport, environmental protection, technology services and consulting. It is engaged in both domestic and international financing, trade, economic cooperation, project contracting and labour broking. In July 2010, China Guodian Corporation was listed on the Fortune Global 500 and its total assets reached $68.5bn.
Companies
HydroChina Kunming Engineering Corporation was founded in 1957 and is one of China's leading exploration, design and research companies. Its core business includes planning, consulting, design, engineering, procurement, construction, project management and inspection of hydropower, irrigation, wind and solar power projects.
It also invests in and operates hydro, wind and solar power projects. Other activities include environmental protection, water and soil conservation, roads and bridges, industrial and civil engineering, water resource, safety and geological hazard assessment.
The Nari Group Corporation is a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China, which is the largest power transmission company in China. The Group has nine research institutes covering power system stability control, relay protection, high voltage technology, metering and testing technology, clean energy generation, power distribution and consumption management, information technology and communication.
Shaanxi Local Electric Power Group is the largest power distribution company owned by local government in China, supplying electricity to more than four million customers in Shaanxi province.
Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute Corporation was founded in 1958 and is affiliated to China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation. It is China's leading provider of power design, consulting and construction services. Its projects cover 27 domestic provinces and 21 countries such as India, Brazil, Iraq and Venezuela.
EMS, the show organisers, has arranged two free 'Business Opportunities' sessions (7 and 8 June) with the Chinese delegation to enable local industry representatives to gain a broader insight of the latest developments in the Chinese energy sector.
"These sessions are designed to give local energy companies the opportunity to interact face-to-face with leaders in the Chinese energy sector," says Thomson. "Not only will participants learn more about what China has to offer the local industry, but they can interact directly with Chinese stakeholders and identify all potential opportunities for closer co-operation."
Energex Africa is the continent's most comprehensive Energy Solution event, covering power saving solutions, renewable energy and alternative power sources.
Visitors and exhibitors and can pre-register and use the free internet-based business matchmaking programme to arrange pre-profiled, pre-selected and pre-scheduled matchmaking meetings for all three days of the show. To register, visit www.exhibitionsafrica.com
