Africa Electricity launches on November 15 at the Gallagher Convention Centre and is open from 9am to 5pm on all 3 days of the show until November 17.
The event is free to attend for industry-related personnel and encompasses an Exhibition, Technical seminars and the much awaited BIG Debate. Delegates must arrive early to ensure a seat at each session of The BIG Debate or Technical seminars as they will be allocated on a first come, first-served basis.
Africa Electricity is the meeting place for international suppliers of products and services that will help the South African region develop its utilities sector to facilitate and address the challenging issues of meeting demand, energy efficiency, distribution, transmission, generation, security of supply and cost efficiency.
The show will be opened at 9am on the morning of November 15 by Ms Phindile Nzimande, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), who will tour the show and meet with key exhibitors. One hundred exhibiting companies on the show floor will be showcasing international products, services and technologies related to the power, water, lighting, nuclear and new and renewable sectors.
Exhibitors include: SDMO Industries, Interplast, ERL Marketing International, Sakr Power Generation, Nersa and many more. The majority of whom are presenting their wares to the South African market for the first time. Visitors to the show will be able to meet with exhibitors on their stands and view first hand the latest equipment and solutions that the the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers have to offer.
While each attendee is bound to have a different reason for visiting, there are opportunities to make new contacts and set up supply channels, compare prices to achieve cost-efficient solutions for requirements, gain competitive advantage for business by meeting relevant industry peers and networking effectively.
Technical seminars will be presented by exhibitors throughout the 3 days of the event to highlight the features and benefits of their products/services/technologies. Held on the show floor, they are a great way to find out about the intricate technical details behind the workings of innovations in the industry and to be able to ask direct questions to the exhibitor.
Subjects featuring at the Technical seminars are Medium Voltage Drive and its Application in Industry, Emerging Lighting Technologies, Temperature Measurement & Accessories for the Protection of Transformers, Power Solutions, Smart Grids and Composite Insulators with Monitoring & Diagnostics.
The BIG Debate will be a hive of activity with 4 sessions over the 3 days covering the current hot topics being discussed by the industry and all consumers of energy who are affected by the rising costs of electricity.
Topics on the agenda are:
- The Generation Deficit and IRP 2010-2030
- New and Renewable Sources of Energy
- Africa’s Electricity Distribution Infrastructure
- IPP Procurement Programme
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Panelists are from a variety of organisations and associations within South Africa who have ideas and initiatives on the potential way forward on these subjects. Panelists are from companies such as Sasol Group Services, Nersa, Eskom, SAIEE (South African Institute of Electrical Engineers), and South African Independent Power Producers Association.
The BIG Debate strives to introduce the various parties to constructively debate issues concerning conservation, efficiency improvement, reliance reduction, nuclear plans, renewable initiatives, privatization, investment and grid access, amongst others.
With power generation capacity significantly below meeting consumer and industrial requirements there are clear challenges in relieving the pressure on the national grid. With rising costs of electricity all consumers of energy across the board must seriously consider becoming more energy efficient in order to increase the reserve margin on the grid and make room for growth through expansions and new loads.
South Africa has numerous projects planned or underway to provide for the future growth in demand for power, including the mixed energy use options and demand reduction targets as set out by the Department of Minerals and Energy and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
For the full agenda of The BIG Debate, please visit www.africaelectricity.com/thebigdebate
A comprehensive event providing a platform for the local South African market to come together and discuss the issues at stake, while meeting international experts and service providers, Africa Electricity aims to bring the various stakeholders together in one place to do business, network and find solutions to the challenges faced not only in business, but in everyday life in South Africa.
www.africaelectricity.com
This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial