Exploring Wind Power as the Solution to Africa's Energy Shortages

By Iqpc Middle East, PRNE
Wednesday, October 6, 2010

CAIRO, October 7, 2010 - In a recent survey conducted by the International Quality and
Productivity Centre (IQPC), 64.28% of the 2,754 energy sector respondents
have chosen wind power as the principle solution to meet Africa's growing
energy demand. This topic will be further explored at IQPC's Wind Power
Development and Implementation conference, taking place in Cairo, Egypt from
12-15 December 2010.

www.virtualpressoffice.com/eventsSubmenuForSearch.do?showId=1540&e
nableHistory=EventsTab&myLink=myEventsSubmenu&fromSearch=T

(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste
this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)

Economic growth in the region has been mirrored by an increased
requirement for electricity - and the result? The continent has seen a rapid
increase in renewable energy projects to supply energy needs.

Africa not only faces electricity shortages but also consistent and
lengthy power cuts. Earlier this year the Egyptian Electricity Ministry had
to ration out national power by inducing power outages as a direct result of
higher electricity consumption. For a country without oil reserves, renewable
energy becomes an even bigger necessity.

The Moroccan government has ambitious plans to have installed 2000MW of
wind energy by 2020. Morocco's King Mohammed VI inaugurated a 250 million
euro
(300 million dollar) wind farm near Tangiers, which is currently the
biggest in Africa.

However, Kenya is also competing to open Africa's biggest wind farm and
is back in the running following a government guarantee for financing the
Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which plans to produce 300MW in Marsabit.

The Global Wind Energy Council has predicted global installed wind
capacity to reach 200GW by the end of 2010. Steve Sawyer, Secretary General
of the GWEC, says: "As wind power is becoming more competitive, it is rapidly
expanding beyond the traditional markets in North America and Europe. In
fact, around half of the growth is now happening in emerging economies and
developing countries."

Key speakers at Wind power Development and Implementation include Eskom's
Chief Engineer, Riaan Smit; Senior Investment Officer/Energy Expert of the
African Development Bank, Youssef Arfaoui; Egyptian Environmental Affairs
Agency's General Director of Energy Projects, Dr. Hisham El Agamawy and
KenGen's Chief Engineer, Christopher Maende.

For more information on this topic and conference visit
www.windpoweregypt.com

About Wind Power Development and Implementation:

Wind Power Development and Implementation conference has been designed to
provide an insight into the practical and technical issues surrounding wind
farm projects. Through detailed presentations, interactive panel discussions,
case studies and two extensive workshop days this event will tackle key
challenges faced when developing a commercially viable wind farm.

About IQPC:

IQPC provides practical conferences, large scale events, topical seminars
and in-house training programs, keeping business executives up-to-date with
industry trends, technological developments and the regulatory landscape.
IQPC produces more than 1,800 events annually around the world, and continues
to grow. Founded in 1973, IQPC now has offices in major cities across six
continents including: Bengaluru, Berlin, Dubai, London, New York, Sao Paulo,
Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, and Toronto.

    Media Contact:
    Delcy D'souza
    Marketing Manager
    IQPC Dubai
    delcy.dsouza@iqpc.ae
    +971(0)43602903

Media Contact: Delcy D'souza, Marketing Manager, IQPC Dubai, delcy.dsouza at iqpc.ae, +971(0)43602903

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :