Innovative, interactive WAPIC programme in Lagos in November reflects Nigeria’s dynamic energy industry

“Politics, policy, pricing and partnerships - the four Ps for the fundamentals of a successful power sector” says Natalie Bacon, programme director for the upcoming West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) taking place in Lagos from 23-24 November this year. “We have learnt this from Dr Kandeh Yumkellah, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and at WAPIC we will apply these principles to the strategic conference and explore the way forward for the regional power industry.”

WAPIC, a long-running, regional conference and exhibition, will return to Lagos with an innovative and interactive programme that reflects the dynamic energy landscape of the region and will once again attract some 2000 power professionals, high-level experts and industry stalwarts at the 13th edition of the event.

New features at this year’s WAPIC will include:

• Embedded power generation and distributed power masterclass
Distribution companies, project developers, technology solution providers and regulators will analyse the impact of embedded power generation and the next steps required for an enabling environment for power project implementation.

• Roundtable think tank exercises:
- Partnerships and privatisation – Breaking down silos in the power value chain
- Assumptions about generation - Case study: Bayelsa State

• Gas to power conference track and training:
- De-risking gas to power
- Securing gas pipelines
- Diversifying gas supply

• Film documentary screening: ‘Nowhere to run’:
‘Nowhere to Run’, produced by the Yar’Adua Foundation, tells the story of environmental threats and unique challenges to security in Nigeria from the perspective of affected communities.

• West African Women in Power Luncheon:
Power Africa’s Women in Africa Power network, Power4All and WAPIC are hosting a luncheon highlighting the role of women in Africa’s energy sector.

• Injecting Funds into the Power Sector:
- Accelerating the completion of PPAs.
- What power project funding is out there?
- Mechanisms to control cash flow.

• Innovation Hub:
The objective of WAPIC’s Innovation Hub is to showcase true game changing innovation in the power and energy sector. From start-up to multinational companies, the platform will celebrate bold thinking and the impact of innovation.

• Energy efficiency and off grid generation workshops on the exhibition floor:
The latest local and international technology and services are showcased.

Industry awards
The third edition of the hugely successful West African Power Industry Awards will also take place at this year’s WAPIC during a gala dinner evening when industry pioneers and projects will be recognised and celebrated in seven different categories.

Exciting time for the power industry in West Africa
As in previous years of this flagship power event in the region, WAPIC has already secured impressive industry support. Global information and telecommunication giant Huawei will return as the exclusive diamond sponsor for the event for the third time.

Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, is a platinum sponsor. “This is an exciting time for the power industry in West Africa with ongoing investment in infrastructure, particularly renewable energy sources” says Phil Dingle, Lucy Electric’s Marketing Director. “At Lucy Electric we hope to play a key part in helping to make this a reality and WAPIC presents the perfect opportunity to showcase our products, services and leading expertise to one of our key growth markets.”

He explains: “as platinum sponsors we will be actively involved in all areas of the convention. We will be delivering a keynote presentation; hosting technical workshops and breakfast briefings on key issues; sponsoring the Awards Dinner; and showcasing our expertise in secondary distribution networks with a particular focus on automation solutions and our market-leading, low voltage monitoring system, at the exhibition.“

Phil adds: “we had great engagement with new and existing customers last year and are looking forward to another fantastic event this year.”

WAPIC dates and location:
Pre-conference Masterclass: 22 November 2016
Documentary screening, ‘Nowhere to run’: 22 November 2016
Conference and exhibition: 23-24 November 2016
West African Power Industry Awards: Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Site visit: 25 November 2016
Event location: Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria

WAPIC is 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 on the continent are African Utility Week, the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Power & Mining Investment Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum.

Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com
Website: http://www.wapicforum.com
Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa

This release was published on openPR.