Stakeholders examine electricity access in Africa at Energy Exhibition
…Say renewable energy viable solution to electricity crisis
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Stakeholders at the 10th edition of Informa Market’s Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, x-rayed electricity access in Africa, noting the huge gap between electricity supply and demand, as only a handful of countries can boast of 100% access.
The exhibition brought together government and private sector professionals, dignitaries, practitioners and others in the value chain. It
was held in Lagos from September 19-21,2023.
Also, it attracted West Africa’s most established energy professionals and featured world-renowned power companies.
* Although much of the world’s attention has been on the ramping of renewable energy sources including hydropower, wind, geothermal power, there remains a strong appetite for conventional fuels with natural gas in particular, identified by many African government as a vital transition fuel in the continent ‘s journey to reach its net zero carbon emissions targets.
However, Exhibition Director, Nigeria Energy, Ade Yesufu said the recently enacted Electricity Act 2023 is a step in the right direction for the country, Energy sector to actualized the goal of affordable and accessible power.” As our nation looks to several sources to end it’s intractable power supply crisis, stakeholders are working out solutions that if adopted by FG would bring a lasting solution to electricity crisis.
Yesufu, said the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference was able to provides the opportunity as a platform for local players and international investors who proffered insightful solutions to the challenges that has been limiting the industry.
“As the leading Energy platform event in Nigeria and West Africa, we commend the support of the Ministry of Power especially with the move to unlock new value using reforms, investments, and technology.
He said: “Marking its 10th year anniversary, the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference theme: “Unlocking new value with reforms, investments and technology”, and will bring together government, private sector, and investors to find solutions to the challenges, facing Nigeria and West Africa’s electricity sector. This year’s anniversary edition presented delegates with the unique opportunity to hear, engage, and network with key industry stakeholders within the sector.
While celebrating its milestone, the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference featured two impactful conferences – a high-level Leadership Summit and a Technical Seminar. The Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit gathered great minds, as stakeholders involved in the value chain, including government dignitaries, gas-to-power generation companies, independent power producers, generation, distribution, and transmission companies, technology providers, financiers, and agencies facilitated the development of renewable and off-grid solutions, with a mission to find solutions to the most pertinent issues in the sector.
Furthermore, “About 3000 energy stakeholders with over 200 exhibitors and three international pavilions from China, Germany, and Turkey participated at the event.
Moreso, the conference discussed key topics including: Power sector decentralisation, new legislations and framework in Nigeria, Role of Natural gas as a transition fuel in achieving a net-zero economy, Funding opportunities – Are investments finally moving in?
While the Leadership panel: What are the steps taken by DisCos to encourage climate-driven investments? Emission trading – New reforms in Africa?
Leveraging the power of digital technology to deliver value to customers.
Exhibitors at Nigeria Energy 2023 edition included Skipper as the main event sponsor, Tetracore, Huawei, and Simba as Platinum Sponsor, Jinko Solar, Okaya, JMG, UTEC, and Ofstar as Gold Sponsor, Unisell Interlinked as Silver Conference Sponsor, Felicity, Fronius, Lucy, Jubaili, JA Solar, Gil Siemens, Su-Kam, and Powerpro as Silver Event Sponsors.
In addition, the Minister of Power, Nigerià, Adebayo Adelabu and Deputy Minister of Power Ghana, Hon. Andrew Mercer viewed
Nigeria’s electricity crisis, advocated the adoption of renewable energy as a viable solution to complement domestic and commercial supply.
