West African Power Industry Awards to Honour Industry’s Best and Brightest WAPIC in Lagos in November

Lagos, Nigeria, October 04, 2014 --(PR.com)-- West Africa’s leading utility and energy professionals and projects are to be honoured at the annual West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) that is taking place in Lagos, Nigeria from 18-19 November this year.

The West African Power Industry Awards are designed to celebrate the West African triumphs and successes of the industry during the last year and the industry will be able to nominate candidates in seven award categories, ranging from Lifetime Achievement Award to Outstanding Woman in Power. The winners will be honoured at a five-star gala event during WAPIC.

WAPIC’s programme director Irene Ochem: “To celebrate the success and the loyalty of our event participants during the past 11 years, we are proud to launch the awards, recognising excellence within the power sector and rewarding companies and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry.”

High-level list of expert speakers
Well-known global business leader, financier, entrepreneur, investment guru and philanthropist Tony Elumelu is heading up the high-level list of power experts who will address this year’s WAPIC. During the 11th edition of this long running conference and expo, WAPIC will once again gather government, utilities, consultants and investors to discuss the challenges of local markets, capacity building and investment.

The awards evening, attended by some 500 leading executives from across the power, renewable energy, finance and investment spheres, is considered a long overdue addition to what is the leading utility gathering of its kind in the region.

Utility industry celebrating its heroes
“These are exciting and often pioneering times for the utility industry and we feel honoured to be able to recognise utilities, utility leaders, companies and individuals who are making an enormous difference in the development of the energy landscape in West Africa,” says Irene Ochem.

She adds: ”This is the West African utility industry celebrating its heroes and success stories. It is for the industry and by the industry. We invite all power professionals in the region to send us their nominations and we look forward to sharing their triumphs with their peers. Together we will highlight those companies and executives who have been responsible for pioneering new frontiers, pushing boundaries, for inspiring others and for achieving growth for West Africa.”

The West African Power Industry Awards categories include:

- Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual for achievements over his/her career which have made an outstanding contribution to and impact on the West African Power Industry, whether from a public or private company or institution.

- Excellence in Power Generation
This award celebrates accomplishments within the past year of energy generation by a generating company, utility, IPP or renewable energy project that significantly changed the power output in West Africa.

- Excellence in Power Transmission or Distribution
The Excellence in Power Transmission or Distribution award will go to the transmission or distribution company that excelled in any one or more of the following areas: distribution of power, service delivery, project roll-out, technology roll-out, revenue protection measures, loss reduction

- Power Transaction of the year
The award commends investment in power over the last year by any investor, financial institution or consortium that has had a major social impact on the West African Power sector

- Best Renewable Energy Project
The Best Renewable Energy Project rewards a project launched by a utility, off-grid producer, IPP, government, minister, regulator or investor within the last year.

- Best Rural Electrification Project
This award applauds a project launched by a public or private company or institution within the last year that positively impacted the electricity generated or distributed in rural areas in West Africa.

- Outstanding Woman in Power
This award celebrates a woman for outstanding achievements during the past year that have made a contribution to and impact on the West African Power Industry, whether from a public or private company or institution.

The esteemed awards judging panel will comprise a top selection from the WAPIC Advisory Board and industry. More information on the nomination process is available on the event website.

Industry support
Various sponsorship options are still available for companies to get involved in the West African Power Industry Awards and improve their networking opportunities and raise their visibility within the industry.

Leading industry names such as the Nigerian IPP Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL) and Aiteo Power Generation and Distribution Company have already signed up as platinum event sponsors for WAPIC.

The West African Power Industry Convention 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.

WAPIC dates and venue:
Conference days: 18-19 November 2014
Pre-conference workshops: 17 November 2014
West African Power Industry Awards: 18 November 2014
Site visits: 20 November 2014
Venue: Eko Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria