“We are excited to participate and engage with thousands of power professionals”

African Utility Week has announced that Power Africa, US President Barack Obama’s initiative to improve access to power in sub-Saharan Africa, will be the official country partner of the upcoming conference and expo from 12-14 May at the CTICC in Cape Town. The conference and expo bring together utility professionals from across the globe to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power and water industries.

Power Africa works with African governments, the private sector, and other partners to add more than 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity as well as increase electricity access by adding 60 million new home and business connections throughout all of sub-Saharan Africa.

The 15th African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa is expected to again attract more than 5000 attendees and feature 250 exhibitors, 190 speakers, eight conferences, free technical workshops on the expo floor, three high-profile plenary sessions and the coveted industry awards gala dinner.

Fitting to gather in Cape Town
Andrew Herscowitz, Coordinator for Power Africa, says: “President Obama launched Power Africa in Cape Town in late June 2013 and it is therefore fitting that we will gather and engage Africa in Cape Town in May, to talk about solutions and partnering with African utilities to connect Africa to the global grid.”

He adds:  “we are excited to participate and engage with thousands of power professionals from around the continent gathering at African Utility Week to discuss their shared challenges and how they can work together to improve the way Africans live and work.  We look forward to continuing to be part of this on-going conversation and making a difference in the African power sector.”

African Utility Week event director Evan Schiff says “African Utility Week is the right place for Power Africa to engage with stakeholders as there are strong synergies between our respective strategies on the continent. This is the only ‘in territory’ event, that Power Africa will be participating in, with US exhibitors supported by the US Commercial Services and Power Africa partners like USAID,OPIC, EXIM Bank, US Department of State, US Department of Energy and the Power Africa Private Partners. We therefore share a common goal with clear objectives.”

He continues: “African utilities have been gathering at African Utility Week for 15 years, engaging with their peers to find African solutions to African challenges in the power sector. International partners have participated in this conversation and added best of breed technology and financial solutions. Long term strategic partnerships between initiatives and organisations like Power Africa and African Utility Week therefore are in Africa’s interest.”

DNV-GL has already confirmed its exclusive diamond sponsorship of the event while Accenture, Building Energy, MarelliMotori, Rubbytad and Edison Power Group are the platinum sponsors.

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa dates and location:  
Exhibition & Conference: 12-14 May 2015
Industry awards: 13 May 2015
Site Visits: 15 May 2015
Location:  CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Website:  www.african-utility-week.com  

Contact:Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone :  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes for Editor
Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies. A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent.

Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.

Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence. Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.

Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa. Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company’s highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.

www.spintelligent.com