LEADING figures within the African energy scene will convene at the 10th Annual Africa Energy Indaba, the World Energy Council’s annual African regional meeting, to discuss the importance of innovation and regional integration. It comes at a time when the energy sector is undergoing a major transition.
The World Energy Council will be holding a high-level Energy Leaders’ Dialogue as part of the Indaba in Johannesburg between 19 and 21 February.
Discussions will focus on energy sector innovations in Africa, exploring near and long-term prospects for technological advancements such as blockchain, where decentralisation and digitalisation plays a more prominent role within the continent. Additional discussions will explore the role the private sector can play in supporting policies that drive innovation and
Christoph Frei, Secretary General, World Energy Council said: “In Africa, energy is at the forefront of the political and business agenda. There is a triple energy transition under way world-wide and impacting the African energy system, driven by decarbonisation, innovation and new business models, as well as new risks and resilience approaches.
“Achieving a robust energy future in a context of the triple transition requires different approaches guided by innovative policies. Digitally enabled and distributed energy sources point strongly to a future energy landscape where decentralised approaches create entirely new opportunities for rural Africa and beyond. This is an opportune time for energy leaders to exchange views and discuss critical issues impacting the energy sector.”
Speakers at the Indaba and Africa Leader’s Dialogue will include: Kornelia Shilunga, Deputy Minister of Energy, Namibia; Amadou Hott, Head of Energy, the African Development Bank Group; Dr Elham Ibrahim, Vice-Chair for Africa, World Energy Council; Viktor Polikarpov, Regional Vice-President, Africa, Rosatom; Leon Viljoen, CEO, ABB South Africa; Paddy Padmanathan, ACWA Power; CEO of Bboxx, Mansoor Hamayun. Many more energy luminaries will be present.
Liz Hart, Managing Director, Africa Energy Indaba, commented: “The African continent has endless potential for solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal energy resources. The scope for Africa and all its respective countries to unlock its energy potential is immense – both conventional and renewable.
The World Energy Council will also be hosting its Africa Regional Meeting as well as a workshop focussing on its World Energy Scenarios work, which envisions scenarios to 2060. Led by Angela Wilkinson, Senior Director, Scenarios and Business Insights. The workshop will aim to capture the reality of the energy world from a Sub-Saharan African perspective. The interactive workshop will provide an opportunity for strategic knowledge sharing on the long-term energy outlook. It will provide an up-to-date regional African perspective and reflect on plausible, alternative scenarios, as well as new shared visions.