The Department of Energy will once again support the annual African Utility Week conference and exhibition as host ministry. The event, which runs from 21-24 May at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, is the largest utility services gathering on the continent and will welcome some 5000 power and utility experts from all over the world.

African Utility Week's director Claire Volkwyn says: "we are really pleased to once again have the Department of Energy on board as the host ministry for African Utility Week. The support of the ministry for the third year in a row confirms not only the commitment of the South African government to the on-going development of the power sector in South Africa, but also as recognition of the role African Utility Week plays in the sector."

South African Energy Minister Elizabeth Dipuo Peters is a regular visitor and speaker at African Utility Week and Eskom has confirmed that its CEO Brian Dames will deliver this year's opening address on 22 May.

Says Claire Volkwyn: "The continued engagement between government, utilities, municipalities and other stakeholders is key to ensuring we are dealing with challenges and maximising opportunities in the development the generation, transmission and distribution sectors in South Africa and Africa. We look forward to welcoming representatives of the Department to African Utility Week."

The exhibition, which features some 10 000square meters of exhibition space, will feature the latest local and global technologies available to utilities today and brings together key manufacturers and service providers from around the world. Conference tracks will focus on Metering, Renewables, Water, Large Industry, Infrastructure Investment, Transmission & Distribution/Smart Grids, Generation and Waste Management.

Event datesExhibition: 21-23 May 2012Conference: 22-23 May 2012Pre-conference workshops: 21 May 2012Site visits: 24 May 2012

Website: www.african-utility-week.com

Event location:Expo Centre, Johannesburg