Energy expert Ted Blom on explosive energy week in South Africa - “Cape Town needs to cut a deal with Eskom for more affordable desalination”

Independent energy expert Ted Blom, speaker and advisory board member at African Utility Week in Cape Town in May shares his views on several developments this week in the energy sector including the appointment of the new Eskom board, appearance of two Eskom executives before the Parliamentary enquiry, Brian Molefe’s court judgement, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement about nuclear power and the Cape Town water crisis. The interview was done by ESI Africa editor Nicolette Pombo-Van Zyl: Click here for the full interview with Ted Blom.   Award-winning energy platform The 18th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water. The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations. Industry support Already the event has secured support from leading industry players including Landis+Gyr, Hexing South Africa as platinum sponsors while water expert company Sensus is a gold sponsor. African Utility Week is the flagship energy event organised by the multi-award winning Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known energy events by Spintelligent are Future Energy Nigeria and Future Energy East Africa. In 2017, African Utility Week was named the joint winner for the AAXO Award for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category (with the World Travel Market). Co-located to African Utility Week is another AAXO award winner for best confex, the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, an international platform that brings together the full spectrum of the African real estate and infrastructure sectors. Dates for African Utility Week: Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018 Awards gala dinner:  16 May 2018 Site visits: 18 May 2018 Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com & www.african-real-estate-summit.com    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities   #AUW2018  Linkedin: African Utility Week Contact: Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558 Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844 Email:  annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com