Spotlight on SA’s energy crisis
JOBURG - As Eskom missed the deadline to bring its Medupi power station online, and its financial woes have led to fears over South Africa’s electricity supply this year, world energy leaders will congregate in Sandton to discuss the future of energy at the annual Africa Energy Indaba.
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The continent’s premier energy event is set to take place from 17 to 18 February at the Sandton Convention Centre, drawing global energy leaders and energy ministers from eight African nations. The event, which will put South Africa’s energy crisis in a broader spotlight, could not be coming at a more important time.
“The Africa Energy Indaba is a forum where those with valuable resources of knowledge and experience from around the world can constructively engage with Africans who have the passion and the aspiration to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of fellow Africans,” said Brian Statham, the steering committee chair of the Africa Energy Indaba.
South Africa’s government officials and business leaders are being given an opportunity to deliberate and address issues with energy leaders with a new sense of urgency as they grapple with the challenges and spin-offs being caused by the nation’s power crisis.
“Without energy, Africa’s economies cannot grow,” said Liz Hart, the managing director of Siyenza, the organisers of the annual Africa Energy Indaba. “Energy is needed for life, for education, for healthcare and for development. The window of opportunity for investment in Africa’s energy sectors is big at the moment, and current leaders must act decisively.”
The Africa Energy Indaba exhibition, running concurrently to the conference, offers those attending the platform to network with service providers, suppliers and energy experts and view products that could support their businesses and industries during times of load shedding.
The event also boasts a number of side events, including the invitation-only Indaba Energy Leader’s Dialogue, the Sustainable Energy for All Forum, the first Women in Energy conference and an Energy Efficiency and Resilient Energy Infrastructure workshop.
Details: www.africaenergyindaba.com