The energy sector will finally become ‘cool’“

I believe the energy sector will go through a big transformation that is going to surprise all of us and the energy sector will finally become ‘cool’!,” says Brian G. Williams, Industry Advisory Director, Utilities Industry, SAP EMEA. The global software giant has joined African Utility Week as a gold sponsor at the conference and exhibition that is taking place from 16-18 May in Cape Town. Brian is a featured speaker in the Transmission & Distribution conference track focusing on “Digital Transformation: What impact will the Internet of Things have on utilities?”

Says Brian Williams: “the SAP Africa message at African Utility Week will be that organisations need to focus on becoming a relevant digital utility of the future. SAP will focus on how new technology and big data can be used to significantly improve efficiencies and how the performance of utilities Infrastructure can be optimised, to prolong the asset life span, maximise energy production, minimise downtime and reduce maintenance cost.”

He adds: “SAP is investing in all Energy & Natural Resource Industries (utilities, oil & gas, mill & mining & chemicals) and in all African regions (South Africa, Sub-Saharan, Lusophone, North Africa, East and West Africa). We have studied the full map of the 53 African countries where we have identified the regions of high, medium and lower opportunities for transformation in each of the four industries. For instance, in utilities we considered that all countries are potentially capable to transform and use the power of digital, to improve their energy value chain, because every country has an electricity, gas or water champion.”    

More than 4,500 utility companies in 123 countries are innovating with SAP Solutions. Forty-five of the top 50 utility companies in the world run SAP solutions.

Award-winning energy platform
The 17th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 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 five 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, nuclear, renewable energy, 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.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa 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 (formerly known as WAPIC), Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Uganda and Future Energy Central Africa.

Earlier this year, Spintelligent won four major awards at AAXO’s ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Awards, with African Utility Week named the joint winner for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category (with the World Travel Market).

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

The full interview with Brian can be read here: http://www.african-utility-week.com/SAP-AUW-interview
Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com    
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities  #AUW2017   
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.

Former President Mandela’s PA Zelda la Grange guest speaker in Cape Town

This year’s African Utility Week Industry Awards in Cape Town on 17 May will have a distinctly feminine feel with an all women cast and a strong line-up of ladies amongst the finalists for the coveted awards for leading energy and water professionals.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, is this year’s guest speaker at the awards. She currently serves as the Patron for the First for Women Foundation, is non-executive Director of the non-profit organisation Healing Hands and annually acts as a co-ordinator of Bikers for Mandela Day. 

The MC for the African Utility Week Industry Awards is Claire Mawisa, well-known media personality, broadcaster and Carte Blanche investigative journalist. Women are also well represented amongst the award finalists and this year four ladies grace the shortlist for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Huawei, the well-known global information and telecommunication giant, is the lead sponsor for the African Utility Week Industry Awards.

List of finalists
The fourth edition of the annual awards will once again honour pioneering utilities, projects and people in the energy and water industry on the continent. To reflect the evolution of the energy and water sectors, the following new categories are included this year:
- Small-Scale Sustainable Energy Project (under 5MW)
- Innovative Technology of the Year
- Deal of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award
- Azeb Asnake, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopia
- Barry MacColl, General Manager: Research, Testing & Development, Eskom, South Africa
- Dale Robertson, President, Enerscan Consultants Ltd, Canada
- Des Muller, Chairman, NIASA Supply Chain Development Sub-Committee, South Africa
- H.E. Dr. Elham Mahmood Ahmed Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African Union Commission, Ethiopia
- Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda
- Grania Rosette Rubomboras, Programme Officer: Power Projects, Nile Basin Initiative NELSAP, Rwanda/Uganda
- Helen Tarnoy, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Aldwych International Ltd, United Kingdom
- Oladele Amoda, Managing Director & CEO at Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, Nigeria
- Wim Jonker Klunne, Programme Director: Energy & Environment Partnership Programme, Southern and East Africa 

Outstanding Contribution Award: Power
- Akon, Founder, Akon Lighting Africa, Various Countries
- Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian, Founding Partner, GreenWish Partners, France, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria
- Hendrik Schloemann, Founder & CEO, Zonke Energy, South Africa     
- Lovemore Chilimanzi, Technical Director, Africa GreenCo, South Africa
- Michael Gratwicke, Head of Energy, Rift Valley Energy, Tanzania & Zimbabwe
- Sicelo Goodwill Xulu, Managing Director, City Power, South Africa        

Outstanding Contribution Award: Water
- Chris Heymans, Senior Water & Sanitation Specialist, World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, Kenya
- Joyce Msiru, Chief Executive Officer, Moshi Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, Tanzania
- Philip Gichuki, Managing Director, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, Kenya
- Silver Mugisha, Managing Director, National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Uganda
- Yolandi Schoeman, Managing Director, Baoberry, South Africa            

Outstanding Woman of the Year: Power/Water
- Agatha Nnaji, Managing Director, Geometric Power, Nigeria    
- Azeb Asnake, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopia       
- Chantelle Abdul, Chief Executive Officer, MOJEC Meter Company & MOJEC Power, Nigeria   
- Eunice Ntobedzi, Innovator, EmPowered, Botswana      
- Rethabile Melamu, General Manager, Green Economy, South Africa    
- Rose Kaggwa, Director: Business and Scientific Services, National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Uganda         
- Sandisiwe Ncemane, Manager: Business Development - Energy Projects, Coega Development Corporation, South Africa  
- Subha Nagarajan, Managing Director, OPIC, Côte d'Ivoire         

Young Energy Leader Award
- Astria Fataki, President, Energy Development, France/Togo
- Beatrice Muthoni, Renewable Energy Consultant, KTDA Power Company, Kenya       
- Faith Chege, East African Regional Associate, Factor[e] Ventures, Kenya      
- Fatima Oyiza Ademoh, Founder & CEO, Ajima Youth Empowerment Foundation, Nigeria
- Paseka Lesolang, Founder, Water Hygiene Convenience, South Africa 
- Samir Ibrahim, CEO & Co-Founder, SunCulture, Kenya   

Power Utility of the Year
- Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopia
- Geothermal Development Company, Kenya
- KenGen, Kenya
- Rwanda Energy Group Limited, Rwanda

Water Utility of the Year
- Lilongwe Water Board, Malawi
- Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company, Kenya
- National Water & Sewerage Corporation, Uganda
- ONEA, Burkina Faso  

Large Scale Renewable Energy Project
- Bokpoort CSP Power Plant, ACWA Power, South Africa
- Gilgel Gibe III, Ethiopia
- NOORo, Morocco
- Senergy 2 solar PV plant, GreenWish Partners, Senegal
- Solar Capital De Aar 3 PV project, Phelan Energy Group, South Africa 

Small-Scale Sustainable Energy Project
- Off-Grid Pay-as-you-go Solar Home Systems, Mobisol, East Africa
- Kwa Mtoro, E.ON Off-Grid Solutions GmbH / Rafiki Power, Tanzania
- Mwenga Hydro Ltd, Rift Valley Energy, Tanzania
- PayGo Solar Home Systems, Azuri Technologies, Kenya
- Solar Turtle, South Africa
- Stortemelk Hydro, Renewable Energy Holdings, South Africa 

Innovative Technology of the Year
- Asset Management Framework, Globeleq South Africa Management Services, South Africa
- Gou Tou Prepayment Project, Umeme Limited, Uganda
- Ikeja Smart Metering Project, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Nigeria
- Jisomee Mita, Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company, Kenya
- Solar Turtle, South Africa 

Deal of the Year
- 100MW Kathu Solar Park project, Engie, South Africa
- Innovative Solar Systems, Lumos Global, Nigeria
- Lubilia Kawembe Hydro Ltd, FMO, Netherlands
- Senergy 2 solar PV plant, GreenWish Partners, Senegal
- ZESCO New Electricity Connections, Standard Chartered Bank/USAID, Zambia 

Leading water and energy platform
African Utility Week takes place from 16-18 May 2017 at the CTICC in Cape Town, gathering over 7000 decision makers in the power and water sectors from more than 40 countries to source the latest solutions and meet over 300 suppliers. The expo will feature free to attend technical workshops and technology demonstrations. The event has won the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) award for the Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category. Part of the event is Energy Revolution Africa, a new platform for community scale projects, which 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.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa are organised by Spintelligent, a multi-award-winning exhibition and conference producer across the continent in the infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Other well-known events by Spintelligent include Agritech Expo Tanzania, CBM-TEC, Kenya Mining Forum, Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Nigeria (formerly WAPIC), Future Energy Central Africa (formerly iPAD Cameroon), iPAD Nigeria Mining Forum, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek. Spintelligent is part of the UK-based Clarion Events Group.

Dates for African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa:
Conference and expo: 16-18 May 2017
Awards gala dinner:  17 May 2017
Site visits: 19 May 2017 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.

By participating in B2B meetings at the renowned South African international trade fair, SMEs in the water & power utility sector can benefit from EU support. This opportunity will help them expand their businesses abroad.

The next Business Beyond Borders business connections event will take place in Cape Town (South Africa) at African Utility Week (AUW), a leading water and power utility trade fair, in May 2017. Business Beyond Borders (BBB) is a European Commission initiative to help EU businesses, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Clusters, operate internationally with the ultimate goal of increasing economic growth within and outside Europe.

A series of business connections events are being organised to bring together SMEs and representatives from relevant clusters, with potential trading partners from Europe and abroad with the aim of assisting businesses to access new international markets.

After a first successful business connections session at the Genera fair, which took place in the beginning of March in Madrid, BBB turns its attention to the biggest trade fair on the African continent. Hosting thousands of visitors each other, AUW is known for a strong representation of EU companies at the event, hosting national pavilions for Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and Czech Republic.

Welcoming the upcoming BBB event, Commissioner Karmenu Vella said “By helping EU green SMEs operate internationally and by promoting green partnerships in target sectors, this Business Beyond Borders (BBB) business connections event at African Utility Week will help preserve our natural resources, promote clean energy and drive growth through a circular economy.”

Thanks to the large network of partners and support entities, a unique package is being made available to businesses across the world in the water and power utility sector wishing to take part in AUW as members of the Business Beyond Borders delegation:

- Business meetings perfectly matching each BBB delegate needs and preferences
- Access to five technical sessions in the strategic conference, one of which organised by EREF specifically on hydropower
- A convenient business connections area at the heart of the trade fair, with free access to the side conferences during the fair
- Access to an international and well placed worldwide network, including several EU-funded support schemes
- Possibility to present your company and technology in the "Demo zone" stage 
- Possibility to participate in the Project and Country Spotlight sessions to access the newest project opportunities on the African continent
- Professional assistance on the spot to make the participation tailored to the needs of each BBB delegate
- Post event assistance and survey, to support the BBB delegates even after the participation in the event  

The registration is now open at http://www.african-utility-week.com/bbbmatchmakingMore than 200 companies are expected to attend the B2B Meetings in the dedicated BBB area. Business Beyond Borders, maximising your business connections experience at African Utility Week 2017!  

- ENDS -  

Contact: Ana Oliveira, LOW Europe: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NOTES TO EDITORS: African Utility Week:
The only global meeting place, conference and trade exhibition for African power and water utility professionals. Organised annually by Spintelligent, African Utility Week offers a unique networking opportunity for engineers, stakeholders and solution providers alike.

The 17th edition of African Utility Week will take place from 16 to 18 May, 2017, and will host thousands of business from all over the world looking to trade and grow. The main sectors covered within African Utility Week are products and services for the power, water and waste management utilities industry: power generation, T&D, metering, clean technology, finance, reliability, water supply or energy efficiency.

The Business Beyond Borders Consortium:
EUROCHAMBRES: The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents over 20 million businesses in Europe – 98% of which are SMEs – through members in 43 countries and a network of 1700 regional and local Chambers.
EMECA: The European Major Exhibition Centres Association unites 22 leading exhibition venues in Europe. They provide businesses with an excellent infrastructure and outstanding information networks. The 22 EMECA Members organise and host 1,769 exhibitions a year, both in Europe and all over the globe, with more than 350,000 exhibitors and over 41,5 million visitors.
UFI: The leading global association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations. UFI represents 700 member organisations in 83 countries around the world. Over 900 international trade fairs bear the UFI quality label.
LOW: A strategic communications consultancy based in Brussels, with a network of associates across Europe. We specialise in creating policy-rich events; managing complex programmes; PR and all types of marketing communications; and EU related public affairs.

Visit us: www.businessbeyondborders.info @EU_BBB #EUBBB Business Beyond Borders is an initiative funded by the European Commission and coordinated by Eurochambres.

“Rather than tariff increases, cost reductions are often the best first step towards financial viability”

A new World Bank study presents a sobering assessment of the financial health of electricity utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, and suggests how utilities can be profitable while extending affordable services for the poor.  

“A central but under-reported issue on the movement to reach universal access is the financial health of electricity utilities. Less than half of utilities cover operating expenditures while several countries lose in excess of US$0.25 per kWh sold. In this context, it will be difficult for utilities to maintain existing assets, let alone facilitate the expansion needed to reach universal access goals,” said Lucio Monari, Director, Energy and Extractive Global Practice at the World Bank.

Mr Monari will address the Utility CEO Forum at the upcoming African Utility Week in Cape Town from 16-18 May and present results of a recent World Bank study: “Making Power Affordable for Africa and Viable for Its Utilities”.

The study looked at utility financial statements and power tariffs in more than 40 countries, and spending data in household surveys for 22 countries. “It remains surprisingly difficult to get basic bread-and-butter data such as tariff schedules, operational performance data, and financial statements. We focused heavily on raw data collection directly from Sub-Saharan utilities. This study’s strength is that it distils lessons from dozens of countries. We hope it will help make Africa’s power sector financially sustainable and advance the goal of universal access to electricity,” Mr Monari explained.

Key messages from the report suggest several ways of recovering the cost of supply and making electricity affordable:
- One third of countries may become financially viable through improving operational efficiency.
- It is almost certain that increasing tariffs will be needed in the remaining two-thirds of the countries studied.
- Individual meters in poor households can help utilities target cross-subsidies better.
- Installing prepaid meters would benefit both utilities and customers.
- The first priority in increasing access to electricity is to make the initial connection affordable to the poor.

Increasing potential of mini and off-grid
Mr. Monari is a featured speaker at African Utility Week and the Energy Revolution Africa conference and exhibition in Cape Town from 16-18 May. He says: “To make the power sector more viable, sector governance and utility management need to be strengthened. The regulatory framework should be clear and predictable, providing incentives for the utility to improve their performance. Privatization and unbundling can work where the conditions are right. Unbundling does have transaction costs that need to be considered and weighed carefully against the benefits of creating new institutions.”

The World Bank study focused primarily on grid electricity, says Mr Monari, adding: “while connecting to the grid is a solution for urban Africans and many people living in rural areas, rural electrification cannot rely solely or even largely on grid extension. Mini and off-grid electricity, especially from sources like solar, offers increasing potential to electrify homes in many rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Eskom performs well, but low tariffs highlighted
The study states that South Africa has the most developed and complex electricity sector in Sub-Saharan Africa and that its installed capacity alone is equivalent to the rest of the continent. Eskom also seemed to be one of the best performing utilities in the region with regards to technical and non-technical losses. However, the report identified low tariff levels as a major issue. Says Mr Monari: “as Eskom moves away from aged coal plants to modernize its generation fleet, prices will likely need to increase to cover the investment costs for capacity rehabilitation and expansion, or else the utility will continue to pose a fiscal burden to the government.”

To read the full the interview with Lucio Monari and the World Bank study, go to: http://www.african-utility-week.com/WorldBank-AUWinterview

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 who will have the opportunity to meet over 300 suppliers of services and technology to the industry.

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.

Industry support
Apart from KPMG’s diamond sponsorship, industry stalwarts EPG, GE, Huawei, Landis+Gyr, Lucy Electric, Ontec and Shell are platinum sponsors while Aberdare Cables, Conlog, Oracle Utilities, SAP, SBS Tanks and Vodacom have already confirmed their gold sponsorships.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa 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 (formerly known as WAPIC), Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Uganda and Future Energy Central Africa.

Other industry-leading events organised by Spintelligent are DRC Mining Week, Kenya Mining Week, Nigeria Mining Week, Agritech Expo Zambia, Property Buyer Show, African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit and Eduweek.

Earlier this year, Spintelligent won four major awards at the ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Awards, which honour excellence in the exhibition and events industry on the continent and were organised by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO). African Utility Week won for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category, (joint winners with the World Travel Market).

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

Interviews with expert speakers: http://www.african-utility-week.com/expertinterviews
Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities #AUW2017  
Linkedin: African Power Forum

Media 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.

“Choosing the right oil is essential”

The award-winning African Utility Week has welcomed back a longstanding supporter, the global energy giant Shell, who will be a platinum sponsor again at the conference and exhibition from 16-18 May in Cape Town.

The 17th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 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 five 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.

“Choosing the right oil is essential”
“We are delighted to return for the third time as a platinum sponsor for African Utility Week,” says Tendani Ndwamise, Shell Lubes Direct Sector B2B Marketer at Shell South Africa. She continues: “in addition to hosting a booth with experts from our global and local business, we are proud to announce Dr. Peter Smith as a speaker for the event. He has over thirty years’ experience in the development of lubricants for use in the sector and will talk about how choosing the right oil is essential in meeting the challenges of the industry, both now and in the future.”

According to Tendani the main challenges currently in the industry are: ”providing sustainable power supply to the population, with aging infrastructure. This in turn leads to the challenge of lowering costs to produce, distribute and transmit power for our customers.  Shell aims to help its customers with sustainable lower total cost of ownership of their assets, through Shell’s sector expertise and industry knowledge in addition to our technology-leading products.”

She adds: “In the last five years, Shell has launched two new ranges of products for the power sector – Shell Diala S4 for use in transformers and Shell Turbo S4, our premium turbine oil range. In South Africa, we have been working closely with Eskom to conduct field trials for Shell Diala S4. We have had confirmation from Eskom that they approved the use of Shell Diala S4 ZX-IG in their fleet of transformers.  We have also supplied a number of projects in South Africa with our premium turbine oil, Shell Turbo S4, which provides superior performance in a number of key areas, compared to competitor oils.” 

On the rest of the continent, Shell has supplied a number of projects with both ranges, notably the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project and the Mega project in Egypt. “

African Utility Week is a high priority event for Shell” says Tendani, “as it gives us the opportunity to not only connect with manufacturers and utilities in South Africa, but also the wider African continent and also internationally. We are delighted that a number of our customers outside of Africa have also chosen to attend the event.”  

Award-winning energy platform
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. 

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa 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 (formerly known as WAPIC), Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Uganda and Future Energy Central Africa.

Earlier this year, Spintelligent won four major awards at AAXO’s ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Awards, with African Utility Week named the joint winner for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category (with the World Travel Market). 

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

The full interview with Tendani can be read here: http://www.african-utility-week.com/Shell-AUW-interview
Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities #AUW2017  
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.  

Introduction  

The year is off to an explosive start for Business Management (BMS) and Business Intelligence (BI) Solutions veteran, Lorge Consulting Services. In fact 2017 marks two significant milestones for the Midrand-based Premier Certified Sage Partner: 31 years in business as well as 22 consecutive years of award-winning success.  

At this year’s prestigious Sage Summit Tour, held from 7th to 9th March 2017 in Johannesburg, the market and technology giant paid tribute to the top performing Business Partners in Africa by presenting awards in various categories. Lorge maintained its acclaimed reputation by scooping 3 awards; among them the coveted Pacific Top Business Partner Award (South Africa).    

Sage Recognises Business Partner Lorge – March 2017, Sandton Convention Centre  

For many who recently attended the above-mentioned Sage Summit Tour (2017), it was no surprise to find Lorge named among the top Business Partners in Africa. The company with a fast-growing footprint in Southern Africa was honoured with the following accolades within respective categories, for outstanding performance during 2016:  

1. Business Partner Awards category – CRM Partner of the Year
2. Pacific Top Business Partner (South Africa) - 2016 {It’s also worth noting that Lorge’s sales were the highest in Africa, within this category over this period}
3. Sage 300 Partner of the Year (SADC) – Second Place     Sage & Business Partners – Building Africa through Innovative Solutions  

As a specialist and undisputed market leader in accounting and business management software development, the globally-backed brand “Sage” works with an elite group of certified Business Partners to effectively service the African market. Accredited Business Partners such as Lorge, with a physical presence and integrated network in Africa, represent a pivotal conduit of product and service delivery in terms of meeting the specific and evolving demands of the market.  

Lorge has earned the status of Premier Certified Sage Partner, which is a top-tier partnership level based on specific criteria. Having serviced in excess of 10000 users in Southern Africa over the past three decades, including listed enterprises spanning diversified industries, the company’s product proficiency is unrivalled.  

Today, Lorge is a preferred supplier and implementer of Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage X3 People, Sage Intelligence and Sage Evolution among other primary Business Management, Business Intelligence and ancillary solutions. The company boasts a dedicated Sage Accredited In-House Training Centre. Furthermore, the cumulative in-house knowledge, expertise, infrastructure and robust systems ideally place Lorge to deliver strategic business and industry-specific solutions within the African context. This includes conducting industry related needs-analyses, software implementation, affording technical / customer support and maintenance services - including application modifications and related training.               

Anton van Heerden, Managing Director and Executive Vice-President, Africa & Middle East at Sage, so aptly highlighted the crucial role of regional Business Partners in saying:  

“Across Africa, our green army of Business Partners do an excellent job of supporting our customers by enabling them to unleash the full benefit of our solutions. They work hard to develop and maintain relationships with customers, understand their unique needs, and creatively address their problems. We thank them for their role in our success story and congratulate the winners for their excellence.”  

Lorge – Leading the way for Generations  

In today’s exciting day and age of globalisation, expansive business-integration, innovative mobile and online technology, there emerge various significant market opportunities that well-managed businesses can capitalise on. Despite the sea of growth potential, however, conditions have expectedly also given rise to intensive competition. Hence, it is equally paramount to not only harness business strengths, but develop competitive advantages that foster sustainable growth. This thinking undergirds the ethos of Lorge as encapsulated in the company’s commitment to superior fit-for-purpose products, customised solutions and world-class service.  

Lorge attributes its success to a consistent client-centric approach, ongoing learning and development, a dedicated and skilful workforce as well as visionary leadership. This is reflected in the number of awards received each and every year for over two decades. It is a worthy commendation when an organisation is recognised for its industry achievements in the form of an award or two, but Lorge’s incredible track record of consistently winning awards speaks to the organisations ongoing excellence, passion and determination to excel.  

In Closing...  

Having considered the above, it is noteworthy that so many leading enterprises in an array of industries - from digital communications, to manufacturing, service sectors and many more - have loyally adopted Lorge as their preferred supplier and implementer of Sage Solutions.  

For further information on our BMS / BI Solutions or to channel a related enquiry, simply contact our Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Bronwyn Delport on 010 594 9800.

Media Contact

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Over 2 billion PET plastic bottles were recycled in South Africa last year. Plastic bottle recycled tonnage in SA has grown by over 800% since 2005. 

PETCO* has announced their 2016 recycling figures. These indicate that the annual PET recycling rate has grown from 52% of post-consumer bottle PET in 2015, to 55% in 2016, exceeding their expected target.

PETCO recycled an additional 22% of post-consumer bottles in comparison to the previous year, with the total PET market growing by 14.8% to 241 269 tonnes.

PETCO CEO, Cheri Scholtz, commented, “PETCO is delighted with the latest figures. Through the remarkable network of people, companies and organisations we work with, 2 billion PET bottles were collected for recycling across South Africa during the course of 2016, creating some 62 000 income opportunities for small and micro-collectors, and changing their lives and those of their families in immeasurable ways.” The voluntary recycling fee paid annually by PETCO members on every tonne of raw material purchased has enabled the payment of a total of R1.9 billion by our contracted recyclers to collectors for baled bottles since the inception of PETCO in 2004, ensuring the collection of PET bottles for recycling is sustained, and resulting in almost 800 000 tonnes of carbon and over 3 million m3 of landfill space saved to date.

Casper Durandt, Chairman of PETCO and Senior Technical Operations Manager Coca-Cola Southern and East Africa, also commented “While this is an extremely proud accomplishment for PETCO, we could not have achieved this without the dedicated partners we work with that have made extraordinary contributions to the recycling of post-consumer PET in South Africa, thereby enabling PETCO to expand our collection network, build relationships with recyclers, seek new opportunities to develop and support entrepreneurs, and ultimately grow our recycling tonnages.”

Adds Chandru Wadhwani, Joint Managing Director of Extrupet (Pty) Ltd. and PETCO board member, “PETCO’s achievement of collecting 90 749 tonnes in 2016 was beyond remarkable. For those of us who have long memories in this industry, it in extraordinary to have crossed the 90 000 tonne mark so early on in PETCO’s young evolution. One further needs to consider what was the “lay of the land” at the beginning of 2016, when there were only hurdles and obstacles which had many of us believing that the collection figure for the year would have gone backwards from the previous year. This is ultimately an achievement built on teamwork, coordinated at its finest through the exemplary efforts of PETCO. Credit to all the members for their continued support. They set the perfect example of what “extended producer responsibility” entails and their continuous drive to grow their achievements have become the benchmark for many other organisations in SA, as well as internationally”.

South Africa’s 55% recycling rate compares well with international PET recycling rates. The US rate of post-consumer PET recycling hovers around the 30% mark while European average rates are around 59%.

*the organization responsible for fulfilling the South African PET plastic industry’s role of Extended Producer Responsibility.

“Enriching lives in the era of energy intelligence”

Huawei, the well-known global information and telecommunication giant, has signed a platinum sponsorship with African Utility Week, the leading conference and trade exhibition for African power, energy and water professionals, taking place from 16-18 May 2017 in Cape Town. The company will also be the lead sponsor of the African Utility Week Industry Awards.

Additionally, Huawei will host its 5th Huawei Power Summit, where Huawei will demonstrate its industry-leading solutions. This summit will be co-located at African Utility Week on 17 May from 14h00 – 18h00. The main theme for Huawei’s showcase this year is “Leading New ICT, The Road To Smart Grid” and will host its exhibition area in Auditorium 2.

Mr. Jerry Ji (Xiang)  is President of Energy Industry at Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group: “Huawei hopes that through Africa's most influential energy expo, we will better understand the needs of our customers and integrate Huawei's latest solutions and practices into smart grids to help the African power companies achieve safe, efficient operations and green sustainable development, and thus enriching lives in the era of energy intelligence.”

“We have been honoured to have Huawei as a long-term partner with not only African Utility Week, but also our regional power shows on the continent,” says event director Evan Schiff, adding: “we are thrilled that they have chosen to expand their investment in the show, and we believe this is testament to the value we offer to our esteemed partners. We take our task of gathering the best in the industry to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes very seriously and as market leader, Huawei should be part of that conversation. We look forward to their contribution in May.”

Real world doers share their expertise
The 17th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 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 five 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.

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.

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.

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.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Huawei has also been a longstanding supporter of another flagship event of Spintelligent, formerly known as WAPIC (West African Power Industry Convention) in Lagos, and rebranding as Future Energy Nigeria and returning in November this year.

Other leading events in Spintelligent’s power portfolio are Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Uganda and Future Energy Central Africa.

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.  

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