Finalists Announced in West African Power Industry Awards

Lagos, Nigeria, November 12, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Ughelli Power, Geometric Power and Clarke Energy are just some of the leading names in power that have been nominated for the inaugural West African Power Industry Awards which will be announced at the gala dinner ceremony during the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) on 18 November at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. There are seven award categories, ranging from Lifetime Achievement Award, Power Transaction of the Year to Outstanding Woman in Power.

The enormous investment opportunities in the West African power sector will be in focus during WAPIC with the Nigerian minister of power, Hon. Chinedu O. Nebo, and Heirs Holdings CEO, Tony O. Elumelu, heading 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.

Utility industry celebrating its heroes
“This is the West African utility industry celebrating its heroes and success stories. It is for the industry and by the industry. Together we are highlighting those companies and executives who have been responsible for pioneering new frontiers, pushing boundaries, for inspiring others and for achieving growth for West Africa,” says WAPIC programme director Irene Ochem.

She continues: “The response from the industry has been overwhelming and each and every category is hotly contested. We have received dozens of entries. And what is so gratifying is that the nominated companies and individuals have all made such important contributions to the power sector in the region. The judges have a tough job choosing the final winners, I do not envy them. Also tickets for the awards are becoming a hot commodity, I want to urge everyone who wants to join this glamorous event to book soonest.”

The finalists in the West African Power Industry Awards categories are:

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.

- Dr Sam Amadi, Executive Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
- Babatunde Raji Fashola, Governor, Lagos State
- Professor Bart Okechukwu Nnaji, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Geometric Power Limited (former Nigerian minister of power)

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.

- Agatha Nnaji, Managing Director, Geometric Power
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister, Nigeria
- Olubukola Osiberu, General Manager, Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC)

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.

- Alternative Energy Inc, Liberia
- NewEnergy, Nigeria
- Solar Light Company, Ghana

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.

- Ginphed, Nigeria
- O.T. Otis Engineering, Nigeria
- Quintas, Nigeria
- TopStep, Nigeria

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.

- Azura-Edo IPP (Siemens), Nigeria
- Clarke Energy, Nigeria
- Ughelli Power Plc, Nigeria

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 and loss reduction.

- ABB, Nigeria
- O.T. Otis Engineering, Nigeria
- West African Power Pool, Benin

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.

- Clarke Energy, Nigeria
- Seven Energy, Nigeria
- Wärtsilä, Nigeria

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

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