EAPIC Returns to Nairobi in September as East Africa Prepares for Massive Investments in Energy Projects

Nairobi, Kenya, June 08, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The annual East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) will once again gather the region’s leading power utilities, investors and technology and service providers as the event returns to Nairobi from 3-4 September for its 16th edition. Kenyan utilities KENGEN, Kenya Power, KETRACO and the Ministries of Energy are key partners again in what is the longest running power conference and expo in East Africa. Large East African utilities such as Tanesco, UEGCL, UMEME, EEPCO and many more will also be present again this year. EAPIC is expected to attract more than a thousand attendees along with exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, products and services.

Last year, the East Africa Community revealed a $64-billion dollar spending plan on joint power projects in the region for the next 25 years to generate eight times more power than is currently available. Says EAPIC director Claire O’Connell: “this shows a marked rise in confidence that the region has in itself but also by investors in the East African power market and is a welcome catalyst in ensuring a stable, future power supply that will drive the regional economy forward. EAPIC will gather industry professionals and regulators to seek out solutions on how the region is to meet these ambitious generation capacity goals.”

Programme highlights:
• Keynote address: One year on – an update on Kenya’s 5000 MW plans
Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya

• Executive Roundtable: Building the power capacity for regional growth
Chairman: Andy Herscowitz. Co-ordinator, Power Africa Initiative, Kenya
- Transmission and distribution investment drivers
- The African Clean Energy Corridor project
- Capacity building and skills needed for future partnerships
- Raising funds and securing investment

Panellists will include:
• Ben Chumo, Chief Executive Office, Kenya Power, Kenya
• Felschesmi Mramba, Chief Executive Officer, Tanesco, Tanzania
• Joel Kiilu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ketraco, Kenya
• Tarun Brahmay, Private Equity, N.V. FMO, Netherlands

• Panel discussion: Regional regulation framework for stimulating cross border partnerships
Chairman: David Mwangi, Energy consultant, Kenya
- Update on EAC regional master plan
Peter Kinuthia, Senior Energy Officer, East African Community, Kenya

Panellists will include:
• Benon Mutambi, Chief Executive Officer, ERA, Uganda
• François Régis Gatarayiha, Director General, RURA, Rwanda
• Frederic Nyang, Director, ERC, Kenya
• Lawrence Musaba, Coordination Centre Manager, SAPP, Zimbabwe

Uganda, a country to watch
Prior to the start of EAPIC, prospective investors and suppliers interested in doing business in Uganda, can find out more about its power and utilities sector during a unique Executive Insider Briefing that is to be held in the capital of Kampala from 1-2 September. The two-day forum will present delegates with the opportunity to hear first-hand updates about current projects, future plans and initiatives in the sector and meet high-level stakeholders in the Ugandan economy and government.

Practical insights
The EAPIC pre-conference workshops, to be held on 2 September, will focus on finance, renewables and strategic management in the power sector. Session highlights include:
• Practical management for the power sector
• Financing renewable projects in Africa to fill the gap in current generation capacity
• Best practices in renewable energy project management
• Risk management for the power industry

Event dates and location:
Conference and expo: 3-4 September
Pre-conference workshops: 2 September
Site visits: 5 September
Executive Insider Briefing, Uganda: 2 September (arriving 31 August)