Summary - Power Transmission in Africa - Evolving Grid Requirements, New Technologies and Solutions

The increased focus on rapid economic growth has brought energy policies centre stage in Africa. African countries are adopting ambitious targets for power generation, backed by far-reaching reforms of their energy sectors. However, in order to ensure that this growth is sustainable and for countries to achieve their real growth potential, African governments are prioritising the provision of reliable and affordable electricity to industry and communities.

In order to firmly plug Africa into the global economy, a reliable electric power as well as efficient transmission system is required. Constrained budgets of many African governments have slowed down the development of transmission infrastructure in the continent. Recognising this, several multilateral agencies have extended increased funding to fast-track the sector’s development. However, with only 35 per cent of the continent’s population having access to electricity, there is a definite need for a new model for financing transmission infrastructure. African countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria are evaluating new financing models to encourage private investment in building the desired transmission infrastructure. Private investors, domestic and foreign, are all set to seize these new market opportunities.

Africa is also investing in the creation of cross-border links and regional power markets that will help unlock the electricity trade potential in the continent. The longer-term vision is to create a continental transmission network and electricity market that will provide African countries the opportunity to source electricity from any regional or continental competitive power generation source.

With renewable energy playing a bigger role in the continent’s generation mix, African utilities will need to prepare the grid to meet the new challenges—maintaining grid resiliency and security. Apart from expanding the physical grid, African utilities are expected to invest in new technologies to make grids more reliable, resilient, secure and smart.

In this context, Global Transmission Report is organising a virtual conference on Power Transmission in African on February 2-3, 2020. The objective of the conference is to discuss the evolving grid requirements in the region and the relevant technologies and solutions.

The conference will bring together leading utilities, transmission system operators, regulators, investors, consultants, equipment suppliers and solution providers to help shape the future of Africa’s power transmission industry.

The two-day virtual event will have 12 live sessions, covering relevant topics for all stakeholders in the power transmission space. The conference will highlight the transmission plans of utilities and the investment opportunities in the region. It will also discuss regional interconnection projects and their status. The conference will have a dedicated session on public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities in transmission as well as relevant business models for private investment in transmission. It will also explore the role of energy storage for utilities.

The conference will discuss the latest technologies and solutions for the design and erection of transmission lines and towers. It will also showcase the latest technologies and innovative solutions that can help utilities create efficient, reliable and modern grids, and better manage their transmission assets.

There will be a separate session to discuss the plans of utilities to upgrade their existing assets and the solutions available to enhance grid capacity. There will also be focused sessions on the latest solutions for grid digitalisation and best practices for O&M of grid assets. The conference will also provide a platform for showcasing successful projects and best practices in the segment.