Expo and conference to focus on major industry trends  

“The power and energy landscape in Africa is undergoing significant change” says Evan Schiff, African Utility Week event director, adding that current trends include “the availability of private investment for power and energy projects, the fast development of energy storage, renewable energy is becoming cheaper, gas that is an increasingly attractive  mode of power generation in Africa, and that in the next 10 years, nuclear will become an increasingly important mode of base-load power generation.”

The investment, trade and development opportunities in the sub-Saharan Africa’s electricity sector are estimated at $835 billion of capital investment, $490 billion for generation capacity and $345 billion for infrastructure.

Real world doers share their expertise The 17th annual African Utility Week is the leading conference and trade exhibition for African power, energy and water professionals and takes place from 16-18 May 2017 at the CTICC in Cape Town. The event will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 40 countries to source the latest solutions and meet over 300 suppliers. 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 once again address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water. These include two exclusive plenary keynote sessions featuring the most sought-after international speakers. Says Evan: “we are known for consistently gathering a group of industry elite real world doers who share their expertise from grid to socket, best practices for effective power and water supply. Once again, we will not disappoint.”  

KPMG is diamond sponsor Already leading global advisory firm KPMG has confirmed that it is returning to African Utility Week, this time as its exclusive diamond sponsorship. “KPMG’s commitment to create agile utilities in the energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa, has motivated the firm to take up a diamond sponsorship opportunity at the 2017 African Utility Week” says Ahmed Jaffer, Chairman of KPMG in South Africa and the Head of Power and Utilities. He adds: “African Utility Week is a great platform that attracts key decision makers within the sector.”

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical programme sessions 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.  

New platform: Energy Revolution Africa
“Another strong trend in the sector” says Evan Schiff “is that the energy consumer is becoming more aware of their environment and how their power is generated and distributed, whether they are a residential home, a mine, a village, a shopping centre or manufacturing plant. Cleaner, more affordable energy generating options will increasingly become the norm rather than the exception. All these factors will mean that the utility as we know it will not look the same within 10 years… change will happen.  We are therefore launching Energy Revolution Africa, a new platform for community scale projects.”

Energy Revolution Africa will provide a unique forum for solution providers to meet with the new energy purchasers such as metros and municipalities, IPPs, rural electrification project developers and large power users, including mines, commercial property developers and industrial manufacturers. The latest innovations and projects in the sectors of renewables, future technology, energy efficiency, micro/off-grid and energy storage will be showcased”.

More side events as part of the African Utility Week platform include:

- African Power Finance & Investment Forum: Financiers and project owners will hear from expert speakers who will identify the key trends impacting project finance in regional energy markets with updates on and insights into market opportunities, sources of capital, financing instruments and access to project finance. A featured session on regional power integration will explore new methods of developing cross-border power projects on a PPP basis, explore the opportunities for investors, and show how regional power integration can substantially save capital investment costs.

- The Gas-to-Power World Congress reflects the continuing transformation of the energy ecosystem in Africa and beyond. Gas and renewables are perfect partners to help address an array of future energy challenges, including climate change, energy security and energy finance, currently three of the world’s largest and most important challenges. The event will look at new business and investment opportunities in gas-to-power, energy infrastructure, FSRU, LPG and LNG.  

-  The Utility CEO Forum is held as a 3-day by invitation only board meeting alongside African Utility Week, where the men and women who lead and guide Africa’s power and water sectors discuss the path of transformation. Discussions centre on areas of co-operation, development plans and the advancement of regional centres of excellence throughout Africa.  

-  The Nuclear Power Africa Conference features expert speakers who will address the myths and realities, latest technologies, regulatory and financing challenges and the economic spin offs created by a nuclear new build programme. Nuclear stakeholders and prospective suppliers will gain first hand insights into prospects for new jobs, training programmes, and the business opportunities created by the localisation of the supply chain of a nuclear new build.  

-  The fourth edition of the African Utility Week Power Industry Awards brings together 800 of Africa’s most renowned power and water industry professionals. The Power Industry Awards is the leading gathering to recognise, reward and celebrate the successes of Africa’s power and water sectors during 2016/17.  

-  Africa Utilities Technology Council: Telecommunications/ICT conference track programme to be presented that will cover topics such as: IT/OT convergence, IP networks and utility telecoms network performance measures. The AUTC content will continue in three dedicated sessions – one each in the T&D, Metering and Water tracks of the main strategic conference.  

-    Power Africa - Women in Power Lunch
-    West African Investment Breakfast Briefing
-    East African Investment Breakfast Briefing

Industry support
Apart from KPMG’s diamond sponsorship, long-running supporters and industry stalwarts EPG and Landis+Gyr are also back as platinum sponsors while Conlog, Poweroad, Vodacom and Sensus are gold sponsors again.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution 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. Other flagship events in Spintelligent’s power portfolio are East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Power & Mining Investment Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum.

Dates for African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa:
Conference and expo: 16-18 May 2017
Awards gala dinner:  17 May 2016
Site visits: 19 May 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Websites: http://www.african-utility-week.com   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities  
Linkedin: African Power Forum

Contact:
Senior 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.    

Lorge: Ready to make waves at Botswana’s Premier International Exhibition  

~ Global Expo Botswana ~ 2016 ~

04 November 2016
- By Genesis Articles Global

Introduction  

Lorge Consulting Services will be joining a host of key industry stakeholders, international and regional business delegates and strategic role-players gathering in Botswana, from the 23rd to the 26th November 2016. They will be attending the 11th Edition of the country’s premier business-to-business (b2b) and multi-sectoral exposition held in Gaborone and hosted by none other than the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). This calendar-highlight event, known as the Global Expo Botswana (2016), will attract thousands of exhibitors and attendees over its four day duration. 

Why is Lorge Participating?  

Responding to a personal invitation, Lorge is strategically positioned to participate at a major trade and investment platform of this nature. As a specialist provider of Business Management (BMS) and Business Intelligence (BI) Solutions for the past 30 years, Lorge continues to enjoy a growing footprint in Southern Africa. The theme of this years Global Expo Botswana, being Unlocking Opportunities for Economic Growth, is one that is firmly endorsed by the dedicated Lorge team. This is reflected in the company’s loyal and expanding client-base, including progressive enterprises operating in various sectors of Botswana’s economy.   

Benefits to Exhibitors and Attendees at Global Expo Botswana  

There are a host of mutual and exhibitor-specific benefits that expo participants and attendees can look forward to. Likewise, there are several positive reasons why Lorge has specifically chosen to be represented at the expo this year:

• Organisations that rely on customised BMS and BI software solutions can personally meet with Lorge representatives and discuss their individual needs. This includes enterprises seeking supply and implementation of Sage X3, Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage X3 People and Qlikview business and technology solutions.
• Prospective suppliers and organisations with synergistic intentions will also have the unique opportunity to network with company representatives and engage in meaningful discussions over the 4 day period.
• Existing customers, associates and networks in Botswana, already collaborating with Lorge, will also have an opportunity to meet with company representatives at the exhibition.
• Forward-facing local and foreign-based entities already operating in Botswana or those intending on entering the market, will be able to draw on Lorge’s extensive BMS and BI expertise in Southern Africa. Furthermore, Lorge prides itself on providing cutting-edge solutions that are adaptable, scalable as well as industry or business-specific. Again, the expo provides the ideal platform to speak directly with Lorge representatives and make relevant enquiries.

Why Botswana is the Ideal Host  

Lorge is dedicated to offering sustainable software solutions that enable businesses to streamline their processes, maximise their efficiencies and optimise their competitive advantages. In order to achieve this, in an intensely competitive and demanding market, the company strategically aligns with current trends. This approach fosters the accurate delivery of customised solutions, which meet the present-day needs of enterprises in evolving markets.   For organisations that are seeking quality-engineered BMS and BI solutions and would like to expand their footprint in Botswana as well as other markets in SADC, here are a few reasons why Botswana is the perfect location for a multi-industrial expo on this scale:

• The country is ideally situated in Southern Africa, being more or less geographically central in SADC. The location therefore serves as a strong gateway into other parts of the SADC region, while also affording preferential market access into SACU, EU, MERCUSOR and US markets.
• The prospective local market, estimates a substantial populous of around 200 million people.
• The country displays impressive political and economic stability that stands out in the continent of Africa.
• The country has a low tax regime, there are no foreign exchange controls and sovereign credit ratings (Moody’s, Standard & Poor, World Bank ease of Doing Business, Transparency International and so forth) compare favourably to other African nations.

Why choose Lorge?  

There are a host of reasons why Lorge has become the supplier of choice for a growing number of enterprises in Southern Africa. Recently Lorge also participated at the Finance Indaba 2016, where the CFO’s and key stakeholders of thousands of organisations had the opportunity to learn more about the incredible advantages of the software solutions offered. Here are a few more reasons why Lorge has earned an undisputed reputation as a market leader and award-winning specialist in its field:

1. With three decades of specialised experience, the company’s passionate workforce has successfully implemented over 10 000 users across a wide spectrum of industries.
2. Is a trusted Service Provider for more than 250 companies, including multinationals operating in Southern Africa.
3. Provides world-class systems, customised as per clients’ needs.
4. Maintains a strong customer-centric approach, from sales and implementation to technical and ongoing general support, thanks to the Dedicated Client Care Centre.
5. Is resourced with a Dedicated Sage Accredited In-house Training Centre. 

For further information on the Global Expo Botswana or to find out about our exhibition, contact our Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Bronwyn Delport on 010 594 9800. We look forward to meeting you and your delegation at the upcoming expo in Botswana, later this month.    

Media Contact

This Press Release is proudly brought to you by communications specialists Genesis Articles on behalf of Lorge Consulting Services

Organisation: Genesis Articles Global - a division of Genesis Group
Website: www.genesisarticles.co.za
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact person: Mark David Sing
Contact Number: +27 76 450 6739
Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.