By The East Africa Power Convention (EAPIC) that has just been concluded in Kenya’s capital Nairobi has reportedly proven that it is still the most important gathering for quality discussions on where the power sector in the region is going.
”We look forward to taking the event to the next level next year with a strong push towards a much larger exhibition model,” said Irene Ochem, program director of EAPIC.
She added that there was “general consensus at EAPIC about the need to increase generation, update transmission and distribution networks, reduce cost of generation, increase access to rural dwellers, improve efficiency, capacity building and customer service, as well as having an appropriate power generation mix. There is also a need for more reforms and improved regulation, coordinated and enhanced regional efforts to ensure regional power interconnection and integration.”
A statement issued by EAPIC said that they gathered more than 700 participants from 31 countries, including from the region’s leading power utilities, large industries and investors as well as 47 technology and service providers who showcased their products on the exhibition.
Kenyan utilities KENGEN, Kenya Power, KETRACO Kenya Power and the Ministry of Energy were key partners again in what is the longest running power conference and expo in East Africa. Large East African utilities such as Tanesco, UEGCL, UMEME and Rwanda Energy Group (EEG) were also present again this year.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Siemens were some of the global technology and service giants in the utility sphere who attended.
“We have been in Africa for more than 150 years,” said Zamani Mbatha, Sector Communication Leader for Siemens South Africa.
Zamani added on “We have been active in the continent on all aspects of energy value chain. Our sponsorship of the EAPIC conference reaffirms our commitment to the East African region and through our regional experience, global network of technological expertise, we are ready to support and to partner with all stakeholders involved. We are indeed happy to be a part of this successful event. We are on a long journey of delighting our customers beyond expectation and from the feedback we gathered, we enhance our strategies to compliment the progress to date.”
“Our program content was spot-on and topical, clearly mirroring high-profile and quality experts and professional perspectives of the region’s power industry developments, growth and investment opportunities and potential,” said Ochem.
Last year, the East Africa Community revealed a $64-billion dollar spending plan on joint power projects in the region for the next 25 years to generate eight times more power than is currently available.
“This presents massive opportunities to all the stakeholders in the region’s energy sector,” said Ochem.