WITH loadshedding said to continue into the foreseeable future, the need for alternative energy sources is gaining urgency.
That’s according to Claire Volkwyn, Head of Content, Enlit Africa, who said this would be a major theme at this year’s conference – formerly known as African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa.
In early April 2022, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced that it was opening bids for window six of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). It is anticipated that 2,600MW of renewable energy will be procured from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Of this, 1.6 GW will be produced by wind – in line with the gazetted IRP2019.
Eskom Chief Executive Andre de Ruyter announced that the utility had started a bid process for renewable energy projects on Eskom-owned land which would also be added to the grid in the next 18 to 24 months.
“These moves are well in line with global trends toward the procurement of more renewable energy generation as part of the energy transition to a cleaner, greener, more sustainable energy sector – and the focus of discussions at Enlit Africa,” said Volkwyn.
“June’s edition will bring new features to the line-up, including the first fully hybrid Enlit Africa event, with the opening keynote address taking place over two days and sessions streamed to attendees around the world via our digital platforms.”
The programme highlights will focus on the changing energy sector, the energy transition and the technology brining light to millions across the continent. Presentations and panel discussions include:
- Unpacking the realities of Africa’s energy transition
- The future of gas in Southern Africa and Gas Master Plans
- Alternative funding mechanisms
- Scaling up your clean energy business
- Financing transmission infrastructure
- Revenue management in utilities
- TID Rollover: Expediting rollover programme implementation for utilities with large install base
- NERC Meter Installation Performance Dashboard “Measuring Meter Installation Progress at the Country Level
- Asset life extension and protection
- Improving the reliability and efficiency of supply
- Unlocking wheeling tariffs at municipalities
- Energy storage: the cornerstone of a successful energy transition?
- Integrating BESS at a municipal level
- Update on 100MW self-generation for commercial and industrial entities
Stephen Campbell, commercial project lead for the event said, “We are pleased to be welcoming back industry leaders and associations including Eskom, the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy, City of Cape Town, WESGRO, SAESA and more. We are also proud to announce that ESI Africa will be covering the event as our official partner publication.”
