Enormous Investment Opportunities in Power Sector Unlocked at WAPIC in Lagos in November

Lagos, Nigeria, October 31, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The enormous investment opportunities in the West African power sector will be in focus during the upcoming West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), taking place in Lagos, Nigeria from 18-19 November. The Nigerian Minister of Power, Hon. Chinedu O. Nebo, and Heirs Holdings CEO, Tony O. Elumelu, head up a high-level delegation of speakers from government and the private sector, giving the more than 1000 power professionals the latest updates on the Nigerian power industry’s privatisation and other opportunities in the regional energy sphere.

“We are so proud of our speaker line-up,” says WAPIC’s programme director Irene Ochem, “they are passionate experts in their fields and pioneering leaders and examples to the power sector.”

She continues: “Our programme aims to unveil the comprehensive strategies for enhanced electrification throughout the region. We are addressing such current challenges as the lack of effective financing structures for power projects and infrastructure, insufficient gas to power generation, regulatory and capacity-building issues, exploiting alternative and renewable energy resources, rural electrification and energy efficiency.”

WAPIC conference opening session:
• Theme: West Africa: Funding and financing the power transformation
Chairperson and Moderator: Kunle Elebute, Partner and Head Advisory Services, West Africa, KPMG, Nigeria

• Welcome address: Update on the Nigerian power privatisation
Hon Minister Chinedu O. Nebo, OON, Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria

• Power investment and financing in Ghana
Thomas M. Akabzaa, Chief Director, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Ghana

• Keynote address: Unlocking investment and growth in the West African electricity power sector
Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Nigeria

• Panel discussion:
- Funding power: what are the major challenges and how do you mitigate risks?
- Risk perceptions and risk realities
- The private sector and energy finance
- Making the case for investors – what are their greatest objections?
- Sustainable public-private partnerships (PPPs) – critical success factors
- Available options and access

Panellists:
- Batchi Baldeh, Senior Vice President, Africa Finance Corporation, Nigeria
- Reynolds Dagogo-Jack, Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), Nigeria
- Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Nigeria
- Obiageli Ezekwesili, Former Vice President Africa Region, The World Bank & Senior Economic Advisor, Open Society Foundations (OSF)
- Klaus Findt, Partner COO, KPMG Global Infrastructure – Africa, South Africa
- Rumundaka Wonodi, MD/CEO, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET), Nigeria

Renewables, energy efficiency and metering
WAPIC’s Irene Ochem says: “The pre-conference workshops will focus on energy efficiency and renewable trends for the West African power sector and during the Metering, Billing & CRM tract, amongst other things, we will be proffering solutions for closing the huge metering gap, protecting and increasing the revenue generated from the electricity market in the post-privatisation Nigeria.”

Pre-conference workshop line-up:
• Metering: Nigeria: After take-over – Securing your metering infrastructure to ensure financial sustainability
- Presented in collaboration with Lagos Energy Academy (LEA) and Momas Systems Nigeria Limited. The workshop leader/moderator will be Uzoma Achinanya, Managing Director, Emtech Energy Services.
• Renewables: Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies
- Workshop Presenters: Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, Professor, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Nigeria and S. M. Formanul Islam, Deputy CEO, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), Bangladesh

Awards
WAPIC will also host the inaugural West African Power Industry Awards where the region’s leading utility and energy professionals and projects are to be honoured. The awards are aimed at celebrating 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.

Industry support
The 11th edition of this long running conference and expo is enjoying overwhelming support from the industry. The global networking and telecommunications giant, Huawei, recently confirmed its exclusive diamond sponsorship for WAPIC. Other leading industry names such as the Nigerian IPP Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL) and Aiteo Power Generation and Distribution Company have also already signed up as platinum sponsors for the event.

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