- As the time draws near to gather at Enlit Africa in Cape Town on 7-9 June, we have been chatting with some service providers who will be on-site.
What caught my attention is that everyone has a different take on market developments but all are in tune that it is generally a positive outlook. Africa is rising and to some extent leading on ideas that are changing the world. So, what are the experts saying?
Since economies are heavily reliant on a healthy energy sector, it is critical that it be expanded and improved. Neglecting it is not an option.
While digitalisation is going to be a strong driver, it will underpin other initiatives.
For instance, according to Mamiki Matlawa, Group Business Development Executive at ACTOM, decarbonisation can only be deemed effective if one has smart solutions to measure the impact of interventions. “These tools typically are found in the Digitalisation sphere.”
Further, Matlawa believes there will be inevitable changes to supply patterns but that opportunities are endless. “Although infrastructure has not been maintained and expansion is desperately needed, to be part of restoring and building this sector is an exciting prospect,” he adds.
However, where smart solutions are implemented be warned that the ROI from digital transformation won’t be felt immediately but is rather a strategy that has its greatest impact as the years go by, states Ali Mulla, Pre-Sales Manager at EL Sewedy Electrometer, Egypt.
He also implores the market to stop the “hit-and-run mentality adopted while deploying Smart Metering projects”. These projects must be based on strategic partnerships and strong ecosystems, says Mulla who looks forward to the healthy debate that will take place at Enlit Africa in Cape Town.
The energy industry is changing… fast, says Nick Birrell, Vice President of Industry Strategy, Oracle Energy and Water. “We are witnessing the rise of new energy business models, such as peer-to-peer trading, the emergence of new energy market participants, such as Energy Aggregators and the rise of the digital energy provider.” And I agree with him wholeheartedly.
Birrell encourages the industry’s public sector to think about technology as an enabler on the journey. “Expect technology vendors to partner with you as you address your business goals. Expect technology vendors to listen to the challenges ahead of you and bring creative solutions that will enable you to thrive through the transitions ahead.”
In my view, each person attending the Cape Town Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa) is an expert in their own right. Join us to add your knowledge to the many presentations, panel discussions and roundtable sessions. Of course, your flare is also welcomed during the networking sessions.
Author: Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl
Nicolette is the Editor of ESI Africa print journal, ESI-Africa.com. She is passionate about placing African countries on the international stage and is driven by the motto “The only way to predict the future is to create it”. Join her in creating a sustainable future through articles and multimedia content.
This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.
