12th September, 2014
Renown business leader and investment guru Tony Elumelu is heading up a high-level list of power experts who will address this year’s West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) schedule for 18-19 November in Lagos.
Mr Elumelu is the chairman of Heirs Holdings that operates businesses in Africa’s financial services, oil and gas, power, real estate, hospitality, healthcare and agribusiness sectors in 20 countries. Its interests in the power sector include Transcorp Ughelli Power, a gas-fired, thermal power generating plant which was acquired under the privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector.
During the 11th edition of the long running conference and expo, WAPIC will gather government, utilities, consultants and investors to discuss the challenges of local markets, capacity building and investment.
Speaking about the conference , WAPIC’s Programme Director Irene Ochem said: “As organisers of WAPIC we are thrilled to hear Mr Elumelu’s message to the power industry in November. This sector offers enormous opportunities to stakeholders across the board and needs a dynamic, astute and respected businessman such as Mr Elumelu to share his vision for the industry.”
According to Irene Ochem, this year’s WAPIC programme is about unveiling comprehensive strategies for enhanced electrification throughout the region.
” We are addressing such current challenges as the lack of effective financing structures for power projects and infrastructure, insufficient gas to power generation, regulatory and capacity-building issues, exploiting alternative and renewable energy resources, rural electrification and energy efficiency,” she said.
Speaking further, she said: “The pre-conference workshops will focus on renewable trends for the West African power sector and during the Metering, Billing & CRM tract, amongst other things, we will be proffering solutions for closing the huge metering gap, protecting and increasing the revenue generated from the electricity market in the post-privatisation Nigeria.”
The WAPIC expo floor according to Ochem will showcase the latest technologies and services for the industry while the free technical workshop programme will offer practical solutions, lessons learnt from case studies and problem-solving mechanisms to assist power companies and utilities in improving their efficiency and productivity.
She hinted that the site visit programme will give WAPIC delegates the unique opportunity to visit two successful projects in Lagos, the Island Power Project as well as the new city of Eko Atlantic, an impressive urban development project.
This year also sees the launch of the West African Power Industry Awards during a five-star gala event at the conference.
“To celebrate the success and the loyalty of our event participants during the past 11 years, we are proud to launch the awards,recognising excellence within the power sector and rewarding companies and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry,” she said.