A four-day Power Africa Conference has been opened in Abuja, capital of the West African country, Nigeria.
The conference, which is organised by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Power and Energy Society (PAS), in collaboration with Industry Application Society (IAS), is under the theme: ‘Power Economics and Energy Innovation in Africa’.
It has brought together academicians, engineers, researchers, scientists and students from several countries including India, Uganda, Cameroon, USA, Ghana and other parts of Africa.
Power Africa conference provides forum for researchers, engineers and practitioners to present and discuss latest research findings, ideas and emerging technologies and applications in the area of power systems integrations, business models, technological advances, policies and regulatory framework for the African continent.
Opening the conference, IEEE Nigeria Section Chair Engr. Raphael Onokshakpor said: “We at IEEE and PES Nigeria Section are pleased to now formally validate our capacity and zeal to host international events of this scale in our dear nation, which is a developing country that has a lot of potential in terms of human capital and resources.
He stressed the need for the resource persons present to try and make an impact by sharing their experiences and ideas to ensure tangible results by the time the conference ends.
“The Nigerian Electricity System clearly needs solutions and interventions which can help bring the Nigerian Electricity power industry to the state where it would be capable of not only serving the country’s basic needs but also to drive industrialisation for Nigeria and also for other part of sub-Saharan Africa.”
On her part, Chair of IEEE Africa Council Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe noted that the 5th edition of IEEE power Africa conference would be unique, as there would be interesting keynote addresses, presentations by distinguished scientists and engineers on smart energy regulation and policy, smart grid designs, smart technology applications, electrical safety and industry standards, renewable energy solutions and opportunities for private sector investment.
“Access to clean energy is still a big challenge to the sub-Saharan Africa. This conference is a very good opportunity for research scientists, engineers and practitioners to deliberate on latest research findings, ideas, emerging technologies and applications that will proffer solutions for the African continent to fast track achievement of the sustainable development goals,” she said.
Meanwhile, General Chair and Co-Chair of the Organising Committee of 2019 Power Africa, Chief Tunde Y. Salihu, has said that the growing importance of this conference towards getting African nations to meet up with their counterparts worldwide is the major reason the IEEE, Industrial Application and Power and Energy Societies have continued to sponsor this conference.
He commended all the organising committee members for their commitment towards the successful organisation of the conference.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com