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This is more than double the number of companies that the SAEEC led to EAPIC last year and was made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (thedti) and supported by the South African High Commission in Kenya. Says SAEEC CEO Chiboni Evans: “our increased participation is also an indication of the importance South Africa ascribes to not only the power sector in Africa but to the East African region.”
The 17th edition of the EAPIC conference and expo, taking place at the KICC in the Kenyan capital from 27-28 August, is expected to gather some 1200 visitors this year, including from the region’s leading power utilities, large industries and investors as well as technology and service providers who will showcase their products on the exhibition. Some of the high-level speakers include the Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Minister of Electricity, Dams, Irrigation & Water Resources for South Sudan, HE Ali Yacoub Mahamoud, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources for Djibouti and Mr Ben Chumo, MD of Kenya Power.
South African companies highly regarded
The South African delegation that will exhibit at EAPIC includes Allbro, Conlog, Syntell, Lucy Electric, Powertech, Siemens, Landis+Gyr, Osisoft and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Says SAEEC’s Chiboni Evans: “these are larger and more established South African companies that have proven track records of providing a wide range of electricity infrastructure products and services across Africa - from generation and transmission to distribution.”
She adds: “the competencies and abilities of South African companies in the power and electrical engineering sub sector are well known. In the power sector, in particular, South African companies are highly regarded as solution providers for both new builds and the rehabilitation of generation, transmission and distribution power projects.”
“East Africa is a key market for South Africa”
SAEEC’s Chiboni Evans says she is confident that “visiting delegates from the various utilities across Africa will be impressed with the goods, services and solutions offered by all the SAEEC member companies exhibiting at EAPIC 2015. East Africa is a key market for South Africa.”
She continues: “the competitiveness of South African companies in East Africa is likely to increase given the impending elimination or reduction of import duties, emanating from the Free Trade Agreements, into key markets such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. The regional integration we are witnessing in East Africa through institutions such as the East Africa Power Pool and the promotion of renewable generation also present opportunities for South African businesses.”
New at EAPIC this year
Leading projects and people in the East African power industry will be honoured at the inaugural East African Power Industry Awards taking place as part of the upcoming EAPIC. The region’s triumphs and successes in 2014/2015 will be celebrated in seven award categories, ranging from Power Transaction of the Year, Clean Energy Project of the Year to the category of Outstanding Woman in Power.
Also new at this year’s EAPIC is the Clean Power East Africa conference track that will focus on renewable energy generation in the region which will enable delegates to learn more about the potential, technologies and processes for clean power.
EAPIC and the East African Power Industry Awards are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.
EAPIC and Clean Power East Africa dates and location:
Exhibition & Conference: 27-28 August 2015
Industry awards: 27 August 2015 Intercontinental Nairobi Hotel
Pre-conference master classes: 26 August 2015
Site visits: 25 August 2015
Location: KICC, Nairobi, Kenya
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