The upcoming Africa Energy Indaba is set to be a transformative event, focusing on strategies and innovations applicable to Africa, for transitioning to sustainable energy. Scheduled for 5 – 7 March 2024, this event will bring together key stakeholders, thought leaders, and policymakers to deliberate on sustainable energy solutions that align with the evolving needs of the African continent.
Focus areas will include:
Renewable Energy Integration and Diverse Renewable Sources - Exploring the integration of various renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, to create a resilient and diversified energy mix. Technological advancements discuss the latest technological innovations driving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy solutions. These elements will be unpacked at the Renewables Indaba, an official stream of the Africa Energy Indaba Conference.
Energy Storage and Grid Resilience – This aspect will delve into emerging energy storage solutions such as batteries and other storage technologies, crucial for enhancing grid resilience and enabling a reliable energy supply. Smart Grid Systems discuss the implementation of smart grid systems for better energy management, reduced losses, and increased overall efficiency.
Key Highlights to be discussed at the Africa Energy Indaba conference relating to the implementation of the strategies and innovations for transitioning are:
- What is the African Model for a Just Energy Transition? - African countries are being pressurized by the Developed World to adhere to the global Decarbonization Agenda being driven by them. This, despite the developed world’s growth historically being driven by cheap energy derived from fossil fuels. Should African countries not be permitted to continue using fossil fuels to build their economics as an interim measure and adopt a decarbonization timetable that matches their specific developmental needs? In developing an "African" Transition Pathway we should also consider whether ‘conventional’ power has reached its end of life in Africa: Is there a future for utility-scale hydro or thermal power with massive transmission and distribution networks. We’ve already skipped the usual development trajectory in the region as far as telephony, communications and banking are concerned, so why not energy? Most Africans have never had a landline, had regular access to a post office or a brick and mortar bank, but now have mobile phones, email and e-wallets of various descriptions!
- Wheeling, Virtual Wheeling and Private Sector Power Trading - While Inter-country power markets/pools such as SAPP are well established and other competitive power markets in Africa (WAPP and EAPP) are at an advanced stage of development, in-country electricity market development lags well behind in almost all African countries, with regulation preventing competitive private trading within countries and across borders. IPP’s in SA for example are prohibited from participation in SAPP, with Eskom as a “single buyer”. The wheeling of electricity however holds significant importance in Africa. With an acute shortage of power supply, efficient electricity wheeling can play a crucial role in addressing the energy needs within countries prior to the establishment of open market mechanisms
- How will Mobility Developments Impact on Africa's Energy Sector? - E-mobility is increasingly present on the continent, especially in some countries like Uganda, Kenya, etc with 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers, electric buses etc. What are the business models likely to succeed, what are the hurdles, what are the success factors, who are the investors, how to develop the infrastructure (charging stations, batteries swapping stations, robust grid). What about political support / regulation, how to avoid local markets being flooded by low quality imported equipment and how to support local assembly facilities? Will the EV numbers grow in Africa in the future and what are the enabling factors that will stimulate future growth in EV numbers?
Join us at the Africa Energy Indaba as we embark on a journey towards a more sustainable energy future. Together, we will strategize, innovate, and empower the continent with clean and resilient energy solutions.