For the fifth time in a row, the Africa-wide annual conference will once again gather electricity regulators, utilities operators, minigrids developers, financiers, engineering and consulting experts, technology providers, and development agencies to share their invaluable expertise and experience in providing for the continent’s rapidly-increasing power requirements.
The event, dubbed “5th Africa Mini Grids Summit 2019” will commence on May 8-10 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Electrification is core to development and mini grids are expected to play a critical role in meeting the UN Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goal of universal access by 2030.
It is the strategic plan of Governments in the region to develop and promote renewable energy generation through mini grids while also promoting public-private partnerships for implementation.
This Summit brings together all stakeholders to discuss key policy issues and best practices to accelerate mini grids deployment.
Regional energy authorities leading the discussions at this year’s Summit include the Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya, the Ministry of Energy of Kenya, the Rural Electrification Authority of Zambia, and the Rural Electrification Agency of Uganda, along with top officials from Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, and Ethiopia.
Prof AbuBakr Bahaj, Conference Chair and Head of the Energy and Climate Change at the University of Southampton, UK noted: “The International Energy Agency, has indicated that to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2030, we need to rely on solutions that do not depend on a centralized electrical grid.
This Mini Grid Summit is one of the most interesting meetings addressing electricity access for productive use. It brings together policy makers, relevant government organizations, developers and academics under one roof to thresh out pertinent issues related to access and to discuss pathways to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG7.”
Magenta Global Pte Ltd CEO, Singapore, Maggie Tan, added that improving electrification to the 600 million Africans currently living without access to modern energy services is of paramount priority. Proactive changes to the regulatory environment, financing facilities & PPP structures are needed. The time is right to unlock resources and the technology is available to create economically and financially sustainable mini grids to power communities and businesses.
She also encouraged all companies and organizations to contribute to the development of this renewable energy sector by being part of this key event.
The 5th Africa Mini Grids Summit 2019 is held in collaboration with Knowledge Partner Energy for Development (e4D) Network / University of Southampton and supported by: the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA); the South African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA), the Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA).
