Renewable Energy World Africa has announced the pre-show guide and programme for this year’s inaugural conference and exhibition. Global Technology for Local Solutions is the theme of the event, which is co-located with POWER-GEN Africa and takes place from 6-8 November 2012 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

“Africa has enviable access to vast natural, renewable sources of clean energy, along with a phenomenal need for energy to drive its economic growth and to meet the aspirations of a growing and urbanising population. The solution to this energy need is therefore well within the continent’s reach and Renewable Energy World Africa is the platform that will encourage the kind of networking, knowledge sharing and partnerships that will successfully advance these goals in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Nigel Blackaby, event director and director of conferences at the PennWell International Power Group, UK.

Local and international experts will lift the veil on what’s feasible, practical and possible in terms of renewable energy, in a programme designed by an Advisory Board of African power industry experts.

The event opens on Tuesday, 6 November with a joint keynote session that is open to all attendees of Renewable Energy World Africa and POWER-GEN Africa. Nigel Blackaby will deliver the introduction and opening remarks, followed by speakers Elizabeth Dipuo, South Africa’s Minister of Energy and Brian Dames, CEO of Eskom, South Africa.

This will be followed by a joint plenary panel discussion on Powering Africa’s Growth – The Energy Challenge Ahead, and will give industry role players, stakeholders and practitioners the chance to voice their views about current policies and the future direction of the power sector within sub-Saharan Africa. Confirmed speakers include: Lawrence E. Jones, VP Regulatory Affairs, Policy & Industry Relations, Alstom Grid Inc., USA; and Alexander Schwab, Senior VP, Market Management and Corporate Communications, Andritz Hydro, Austria.

Says Nigel Blackaby, “The plenary theme encapsulates the most pressing issue on the table for the region’s power industry. It’s a debate that will set the scene for the remainder of the conference and spark meaningful discussion about the practical implications of power generation to all corners of sub-Saharan Africa, the direction in which this is heading and the technology choices available.”

First day highlights at Renewable Energy World Africa also include a look at Renewable Energy Policies for Sustainable African Development, as well as Wind Project Development.

On day two, the conference will feature a major focus on hydropower, looking at both new development opportunities as well as rehabilitation of existing plants, plus sessions on the future for geothermal energy and bioenergy development.

The third and final day of the conference, will see a session examining Energy to the People – Rural Electrification from Renewable Energy Sources, before closing with a look at Creating and Maintaining a Strong Solar Industry in Africa.

Nigel Blackaby concludes, “We are standing on the brink of a new era, where renewable energy is a viable, sustainable solution to meet world energy demands and Africa is well placed to play a significant role in this cutting-edge field, while meeting its own very pressing energy needs.

“It’s time to ‘walk the talk’ and the Renewable Energy World Africa programme does just that, offering practical solutions for the industry to move forward with renewable energy plant development and operation, on the back of feasible, proven technologies and solutions, and with a thorough and strategic understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Discounted early bird rates are available for conference delegates who register before 9 October 2012. Registration can be completed online at: www.renewableenergyworldafrica.com. More complete information on the current, preliminary programme is also available on this website.