US Power Engineering Firm Makes Training Its Priority In Africa

WASHINGTON -

Speaking yesterday at the biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Washington D.C., Paul Hinks, Symbion Power CEO, announced plans for training initiatives that will act as the cornerstone of the company’s foray into Africa. Symbion Power, an American engineering and electrical infrastructure construction company is best known for the work it has done in Iraq for the United States Government at the height of the insurgency and for its signature of training inexperienced indigenous people to build their own infrastructure.

The company has been among the most successful contractors in Iraq, having completed nine electrification projects valued at $260m USD, including the construction of transmission lines across Al Anbar province during the height of the conflict there.

Hinks, who worked on power projects in Tanzania in the early days of his career and then proceeded to manage projects across Africa, noted that he is looking forward to returning to the continent where he worked for twenty years. “After what we have been through in Iraq in recent years, working in Africa again will be a pleasure,” he added. “Very few US engineering and power construction companies have made Africa a priority, yet it is a continent where half of its 1 billion population still has no access to electricity. Only South Africa and Egypt have access levels above 20%,” said Hinks.

In keeping with Symbion’s philosophy of empowering local communities, the company is already planning the development of a training center in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands to train workers in the construction of transmission and distribution lines. Symbion will soon open offices in Tanzania and Angola to manage their efforts in the region, and other operations are slated for several more African countries in 2010 and 2011.

Recently appointed to Symbion’s Advisory Board is retired US Ambassador, Joseph Wilson. Wilson served as ambassador to Gabon and to Sao Tome and Principe, and was President Clinton’s Special Assistant and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. He brings thirty years experience on the continent. “Ambassador Wilson will play a leading role in Symbion’s future in Africa, a continent that he knows and loves. Ambassador Wilson is deeply committed to its development, as he demonstrated both as a senior U.S. Government official, and since he left government,” Hinks said.

About Symbion Power:

Symbion Power is an American company that specializes in developing complex turnkey electric power infrastructure systems, including transmission lines, substations and switchyards and thermal power plants, in regions of the world where conflict and instability are major impediments to progress. Symbion’s collaboration with Hart Security, the global agency that shares a belief in the importance of working with local populations, has enabled Symbion to develop a unique formula for success that combines security and construction to deliver completed technical projects using a trained, local workforce in locations where security is a risk factor. www.symbion-power.com

Source: Symbion Power

Julie Foster of Symbion Power, +1-917-282-9310, julie.foster at symbion-power.com