African Utility Week to gather 5000 power and water professionals in Cape Town in May “Symbion Power and many other companies from the United States are ready to invest in Africa,” says Symbion Power CEO Paul Hinks. “These firms are ethical,” Paul adds, “they have integrity and they need partners in both the public and private sectors. The US government wants to support both the US and the African private sector as this is the route to development on the continent. President Obama’s strategy for Sub Saharan Africa was set out in June 2012 and I am sure that everyone will soon see that he is committed to it.” Symbion Power, a platinum sponsor at the upcoming African Utility Week, taking place from 14-15 May in Cape Town, recently acquired the South African power network contractor EJP, which Paul Hinks says was a vote of confidence in Africa: “we wanted a foothold in South Africa and we wanted to strengthen the management of our organization on the Africa continent. EJ Power has good, experienced management who live in Africa. We can’t manage day to day business with a whole day of time difference and between 9,000 and 13,000 kms of distance, depending which of our current operations you measure it against.” Other interests in Africa The company already has a good track record in Tanzania says Paul Hinks: “Tanzania is the first country in Africa that we have worked in. Until then we were heavily focused on Iraq and Afghanistan so it has been a pleasure to return to Africa. We now own three power plants in Tanzania generating 217 Megawatts and we have recently signed an agreement with the utility there, TANESCO, to jointly develop a 400MW power plant and a 650km transmission line in the south at Mtwara. This plant will have the potential to provide natural gas fired power to neighboring countries such as Mozambique and Malawi and eventually it can feed the Southern African Power Pool.” Symbion is also about to enter the Nigerian market since Transcorp …
African Development Bank Economist to present report on continent’s wind energy market at Clean Power Africa this month
In each market where wind energy is being developed, the state is a big player in the initial stages of industry development; and is often the sponsor of pilot projects according to Dr Emelly Mutambatsere, Principal Regional Economist, African Development Bank. As co-author of a comprehensive study for the AdB on the Development of Wind Energy in Africa, Dr Mutambatsere is a speaker on the topic at the upcoming Clean Power Africa that is taking place in Cape Town from 14-15 May. Clean Power Africa is Africa's leading event where major stakeholders from the renewable energy sector get together and explore clean generation as a feasible solution to fulfil Africa’s electricity needs. The event is co-located with the 13th annual African Utility Week which is attended by some 5 000 power & water professionals from all over the continent and Eskom CE Brian Dames will once again deliver the keynote address. 60 ongoing and planned wind projects Dr Mutambatsere says in the initial stages of the wind market development, donor financing is very visible and as the market matures, both sponsors and financiers enter the market, from public entities and grant financing, to public-private/private entities and non-concessional financing. “However,”, she says, “the market has not yet developed to the point where it can be fully funded by the private sector, therefore development finance institutions remain major players.” By the end of 2011 the developed potential on the continent saw a strong concentration of wind energy capacity in three North African countries, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Says Dr Mutambatsere: “Egypt held half of the continent’s total installed capacity, followed by Morocco with 40% and Tunisia with 5%. Outside of North Africa, there is commercial capacity in Cape Verde, and limited capacity in South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Eritrea and Mozambique.” She continues: “the market’s outlook is also noteworthy. Our survey produced a comprehensive …
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Tariff hike of only 1% increases mining costs to R100 million per year, says industry expert
An electricity tariff rise of only 1% has a devastating impact on the mining industry as it amounts to an increased expenditure of R100 million per year according to the South African Chamber of Mines. It therefore really hurts that since 1 April this year, large power consumers have had to fork out an average monthly 9,6% tariff increase. Energy challenges facing big business is high on the agenda at this year’s African Utility Week which takes place in Cape Town from 14 to 15 May. African Utility Week According to Nicolette Pombo-Van Zyl, programme manager of the Large Power User programme at African Utility Week: “the proverbial axe is falling on ‘business as usual` as every industry in South Africa, from mining to manufacturing to retail, is cringing at the thought of rising energy tariffs and commencement of a carbon tax on 1 January 2015. On the receiving end of tariff hikes, industry is dealing with three significant elements, namely the cost of electricity, uncertainty around sufficient electricity supply and carbon emission management.” More optimistic about jobs Although some industry insiders have warned that the tariff increase could lead to 250 000 job losses, Dick Kruger, techno-economic adviser to the South African Chamber of Mines, is more optimistic. “Eskom previously indicated a 35% increase. Although 9,6% is high, we are nonetheless thankful that it is less than the 16% that Eskom eventually applied for. This increase will definitely not go unnoticed in an industry which has seen prices doubling over the last three years. However, at this stage we do not foresee any job losses or mine closures directly as a result of the increase. We have known since August 2012 that increases were on the way and mines could figure this into their short and medium plans.” This means that mining companies had to seriously look at their operations and make adjustments such as the introduction of variable speed drive motors that have been known to cut …
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South Africa’s mobile money industry remains innovative and diverse
Mobile Money Africa returns to Johannesburg in May South Africa remains one of the most diverse regions in Africa for its proliferation of successful mobile money business models being championed by banks, MNOs (mobile network operators), third party providers and retailers. This is according to Emma Pearce, director of the upcoming, annual Mobile Money Africa conference and exhibition, which will again gather the continent’s leading industry experts in Johannesburg from 28-29 May. Says Emma: “We have seen some of the most compelling mobile payments case studies come from South Africa and the market continues to reinvent itself and innovate its offerings. Johannesburg is the perfect backdrop for Mobile Money Africa, as it is one of the foremost economic hubs of Southern Africa: a melting pot of business models and market leaders. The event will challenge preconceptions regarding mobile money in Africa and introduce innovators driving the marketplace forward.” South Africa is a tough market Brian Richardson, WIZZIT CEO, and a mobile money industry pioneer from South Africa tells us that a recent development which has been “incredibly exciting” is the level of interest from banks in emerging markets. He explains: “up until now, the stance of many banks has been to wait and see and as we are all aware, they have had many other pressing priorities to address. There is an enormous amount of ‘noise’ in the mobile banking space and a lot of unsubstantiated hype which causes confusion for everyone.” He continues: “South Africa is a tough market – dominated by four very large and very powerful entities. It is also an interesting market in that not only has the market grown up with a card paradigm, but South Africa has a very well developed card acquiring infrastructure. This is not typically the case in other emerging markets where the opportunity of leap frogging the card paradigm is very much more real. A mobile acquiring infrastructure for a start can be …
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World Earth Day: Clean Power Africa to showcase renewable energy solutions for businesses
Clean Power Africa to showcase top hydro, solar and wind technology “Today’s World Earth Day reminds us all of our need to commit to protecting our environment and increasing renewable energy projects instead of relying on the more traditional power sources is a great way for countries and companies to start making a difference.” This is according to Emma Sayers, the conference producer of the upcoming Clean Power Africa in Cape Town’s CTICC from 14-15 May. The event will give an exclusive look at hydro, wind and solar projects and opportunities across the African continent, gathering major stakeholders in the clean power energy generation sector looking at feasible solutions to fulfil Africa’s generation capacity needs. Benefits of energy efficiency Says Emma Sayers: “renewable energy sources need to play a vital role in increasing capacity worldwide. Not only are they necessary to create sustainable energy sources, reduce carbon emissions but they also help to create jobs.“ She continues: “more and more governments around the world are acknowledging the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy as central elements of any green economy strategy. Renewables are also increasingly becoming critical to providing access to energy, particularly in rural areas of the developing world, especially in Africa.” Clean Power Africa provides a unique focus on renewable energy and the plans that need to be put to integrate this technology into the utility environment. The specially designed exhibition floor workshops will pull together some of the more technical aspects of the renewable energy sector with important topics such as integrating wind energy with the grid and technical innovation of hydro mechanical structures. Better quality of life Global energy giant, the 121-year-old Marelli Motori, is the top, platinum sponsor for Clean Power Africa. “Our goal is to help ordinary people in Africa have a better quality of life”, says Regional Manager …
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E-learning and technology in the classroom in focus at African Education Week in June
“It is very difficult to think of any learning that is not E-enabled.” Are mobile devices revolutionary or disruptive in a classroom setting? Should IT and social media be used to develop professional learning networks? And can twitter, Facebook and MixIT enhance teaching and learning in the classroom? These are some of the compelling questions that will be discussed during the Education Technology Indaba at the annual African Education Week from 19-22 June at the Sandton Convention Centre. The African Education Week Convention and Learning Expo is the meeting and trading platform for everyone who is passionate about improving the standard of education in Africa. Now in its 7th year, it remains the continent’s leading educational resources and training event, attracting more education professionals than any other event. “E” will be big! “’E' will be big this year in South African education!” says well-known educational technology expert and head of e-Learning at Mustek, Kobus van Wyk. “Although e-Learning is already happening in isolated schools, it still has to get going at a much broader level. e-Learning can make a huge contribution towards alleviating the bad state of education in South Africa.” He continues: “the National Department of Basic Education (DBE) is putting large emphasis on the use of technology in education, or e-education as they call it. In its document, “Action Plan to 2014”, chapter 7 is entitled “The importance of e-education,” with some ambitious goals set for 2013 and 2014. This adds impetus to the implementation of e-learning initiatives in the different provinces.” From tablets to phablets According to Kobus van Wyk, who is a regular speaker at African Education Week, it became very apparent during 2012 “that the use of tablets and mobile devices will play an increasingly important role in education in the future.” He encourages teachers to embrace technology: “Educators, get your hands on a device – today! Experience it …
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African Education Week and Career Indaba ready to make a difference again
“Education is serious business right now” Leadership in education, technology in the classroom, STEM education*, OERs** and the future of higher education are some of the pressing issues that will be focused on at the annual African Education Week and Career Indaba taking place in Johannesburg from 19-22 June this year. *STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics *OERs = open educational resources African Education Week Annual Convention and Learning Expo is the meeting and trading platform for everyone who is passionate about improving the standard of education in Africa. Now in its 7th year, it remains Africa’s leading educational resources and training event, attracting more education professionals than any other event. Claire O’Connell is the programme director: “over the past seven years African Education Week has established itself as the leading content-rich platform that unites cross-sections of participants from all education sectors, as well as representatives of government and business.” Education is serious business She continues: “Education is serious business right now, not only in South Africa but throughout Sub Saharan Africa with governments and the private sector recognising that there can be no further delay in getting the education system on track to provide the skilled workforce desperately needed to drive economic growth. Today African governments are making strategic decisions on how they will respond to the demands of 77 million new students.” According to Claire O’Connell: “public spending on education in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by more than 6% per year in the past decade. South Africa alone spent R207 billion on education in 2012, which is set to increase in the next fiscal year to R236 billion. African Education Week offers a credible and tried-and-tested platform for the sector where the decision makers meet up with the best service providers who have the latest technologies and solutions on …