“Energy transition for Africa cannot follow similar trajectory to that of Europe”

Enlit Africa returns to Cape Town as a live conference and exhibition Town from 7–9 June this year, focusing on the current opportunities and challenges in the energy sector, from self-generation for municipalities, to gas exploitation, to renewable and energy storage solutions for the commercial and industrial sectors.

Formerly known around the continent as African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa, Enlit Africa has been connecting the utility industry on the continent for more than two decades.

“People in the industry are so eager to get together, to engage; from the utilities and municipalities to independent power producers, project developers and technology and service providers”, says Enlit Africa content director Claire Volkwyn. “Furthermore, there are some really exciting things happening in the sector right now, so we look forward to bringing the role players together under the same roof again and hear all about their challenges and successes.”

Municipal energy independence to gas

Several sessions at Enlit Africa will focus on the broader theme of the energy transition on the continent, including self-generation for municipalities, climate change and investment in the sector, while the event will also gather the Municipal Leaders’ Forum and the Utility CEO Forum as part of unpacking the energy mix needed for Africa to achieve net zero in carbon emissions.

“Before the Covid pandemic”, says Volkwyn, “we already had 700-million people on the continent with no access to electricity; that number has increased since COVID as many people have lost their jobs, cannot afford to buy electricity and many have gone back to traditional forms of eating and cooking.”

She continues: “Therefore, if electrification is to continue, we have to make sure that energy prices are realistic. It is important to realise that the energy transition for Africa cannot follow a similar trajectory to that of Europe. We have to follow our own path in order for it to fit with our circumstances.”

Energy storage and gas
The role of renewables and energy storage in the transition are also important features on the programme and Enlit Africa and the South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) recently announced a unique partnership to launch Africa’s first platform for Integrated Storage and Alternative Power Solutions in June that will look at both renewable and energy storage solutions in a holistic manner, offering real-world solutions.

“The developments in energy storage will make a massive difference to the efforts to achieve net zero in carbon emissions over the next period,” says Jo Dean, board member and spokesperson for SAESA.

The SAESA platform will take a technology-agnostic approach for real-world solutions aimed at the private sector, municipalities and energy-intensive power users looking for practical, implementable, and financially viable alternatives. Says Volkwyn: “energy storage is the catalyst for new power generation technologies to mature, and this platform will unpack some of the mystery and technical complexities.”

The potential of gas on the continent remains an exciting prospect with several sessions dedicated to this topic, including:
– South Africa’s Gas Utilisation Master Plan and the future of gas in Africa
– Biogas in Africa featuring five cases studies: The DiBiCo (Digital Global Biogas Cooperation) project is to prepare markets in emerging countries for the uptake of sustainable biogas technologies and projects.
– GE, ERCOT: Emissions-free power from natural gas.

More Enlit Africa session highlights will include:
– Scaling up your clean energy business

– Case study: Renewables and storage in the C&I environment

– Case study: The Twaake 2.0 project (ESI Africa Elites finalist): Designed to cost half the average grid connection cost by promoting an integrated approach to electrification.

– Converting existing power generation plants: While conversions can be expensive, the utilities already have the facilities, water supply and transmission lines on site. Could converting a facility could cost less than installing the emissions control system required?

– Hydrogen in Africa: Pricing, creation and roadmaps for hydrogen creation

– Utilising offshore wind in Africa

– Case study: Africa’s first transmission PPP project

– The corporate and capital unbundling of Eskom

Back at the CTICC
Enlit Africa 2022 will return to the CTICC in Cape Town with a world-class exhibition, showcasing the latest technology and services on offer in the sector. Known for its compelling content and speakers, the organisers will not disappoint, with two keynotes and most of the content will be presented in speaking hubs on the expo floor. Conference delegates will also be able to enjoy the networking and site visits that the event has so popular for over two decades. Strict health and safety Covid-19 protocols will be observed.

Enlit Africa’s successful transition to digital
The Enlit Africa conference and exhibition made a remarkable and very successful transition to digital during the last two years, staying in the touch with the entire power and energy landscape, organising four, fully-fledged online events and dozens of specialists webinars, all of which were attended by more than 5000 power professionals from than 70 countries and featuring 70+ speakers.

“The engagement with and amongst the power and energy industry never stopped and we never forgot that it is about the people who make it happen and the enormous inspiration and cooperation that takes place when they meet, discuss, share and learn from each other. It is time to do this live, in person again. We look forward to welcoming back old and new friends to the Mother City from 7–9 June.”

All the previous Enlit Africa sessions remain available on demand on the event platform. For access, register on the Enlit Africa-Connect platform by clicking here.

Industry support
Eskom, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the City of Cape Town have been official hosting partners of the event for many years and 2022 will no exception.

ESI Africa, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.

Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) is Africa’s leading exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant, accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.

Enlit Africa is organised by The Vuka Group (formerly Clarion Events Africa), a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include DRC Mining Week, Africa Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week, Smarter Mobility Africa, ECOM and CEM Africa.

Enlit Africa dates and venues:
Live in-person conference and exhibition: 7–9 June 2022
Venue: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: www.enlit-africa.com