Powerful Discussions at EAPIC as 750 Gather in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya, September 22, 2013 --(PR.com)-- More than 750 power professionals attended the 15th annual East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) in Nairobi from 9-11 September which focused on the challenges faced by utilities in the region. Featured speakers included Uganda’s State Minister for Energy, the Honourable Minister Simon D’Ujanga, USAID Africa’s Coordinator of Power Africa and Trade Africa, Andrew Herscowitz, and the CEO of Kenya Vision 2030, Mugo Kibati. Attendees also included high-level utility executives from the region, including Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, Sudan and Kenya.

The conference was chaired by Deo-Gratias Onyango, Commercial Development Director East Africa, GE Africa, the diamond sponsors for EAPIC. The platinum sponsors were regional power distribution equipment giant TCL Power and Kenya Power, which was also the host utility for the event.

“More than ever it is clear that the challenges that the region’s power industry faces cannot be solved in isolation and our attendees could not get enough of the various opportunities to engage with each other,” says Christa Robijn, EAPIC’s programme director. “Thanks to our 90 expert speakers and 40 exhibitors, who showcased the latest utility technology and services, our conference and exhibition generated more than 20 hours of networking. It is clear from the response from our delegates that they particularly valued these opportunities for discussion, debate and to learn from industry peers.”

Feedback from some EAPIC attendees:
- "It has been a very interactive meeting that provided opportunity for learning from each other. Learning never ends until departure to eternity" -Moses M. Kaizzi, Assistant Technical Director, UEGCL, Uganda
- "Well organised, informative conference. I enjoyed the diversity of exhibitors who were well equipped and extremely alert to disburse information. Kenya is lucky to have hosted this years EAPIC and I am glad I came..." -Elaine Ngera, Marketing Manager, Kenya Chamber of Mines, Kenya
- "Keep it up your efforts of bringing together industry player is key to availing cheap energy to our people." -Silas K. Chegoi, Kenya Power, Kenya
- "Excellent information and networking opportunities" -Kayley Lockhead, NG Bailey, United Kingdom
-"Acquired additional informaiton on the sector in the region and other networking benefits" -Olivier Ngoro Rabanga, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda
-"Very good for business development" -Joyant Nayak, Crisil Risk and Infa Ltd, India
- "Very important convention especially at this time in Kenya." -Patrick G. Thimba, Africa Bio Products Ltd, Kenya

Uganda’s energy plans
During his welcome address, the Honourable Minister Simon D’Ujanga, State Minister of Energy for Uganda, spoke on regional collaboration for future economic growth. He discussed the Ugandan government’s plans as well as their relevance to the region. These include:
- Power Sub-Sector Development Plans: The government of Uganda conducted a power sector investment master plan study that informed the country of the current sector development needs in the three main sector segments including Generation, Transmission and Distribution.
- The government has prioritised the implementation of this plan and is implementing measures towards achieving its Vision 2040.
- The Ugandan government also established the Renewable Energy Feed-in tariffs to create a predictable business environment for renewable energy projects.
- The government, with support from development partners, has launched the GET-FIT top-up support on the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff to fast-track the development of Mini Hydro projects.
- The government also set up the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) to provide support in form of credit enhancement instruments, to local financial institutions.