Hydropower Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

Boasting a full three day conference, featuring over 40 international speakers and over 450 visitors from across the globe, Hydropower Africa 2011 will look at prospects for hydropower development in Africa, encourage investment in hydropower projects in Africa and identify and overcome challenges for hydropower development in rural and urban areas.

It is expected that by 2020, hydropower is to account for 52% of West Africa (excluding Nigeria) and 79% of East Africa’s total new additional generation capacity. At least 20, 000MW of hydropower capacity is expected to be added to sub-Saharan Africa’s hydropower capacity by 2015 through both refurbishments of existing old plants and the construction of new projects. A significant number of international IPPs are also exploring opportunities to use Africa's hydro resources to generate private power.

ESI Africa’s 4th annual Hydropower Africa 2011 is a niche meeting forum where comprehensive presentations, panel discussions and focused sessions will address the issues surrounding the financing and the implementation of hydropower projects in Africa – both large and small.

Hydropower Africa 2011 is the largest hydropower event of its kind in Africa boasting over 450 visitors from across the globe. It looks at planned projects and tender prospects for hydropower development in Africa and innovative funding solutions for projects – big and small. Refurbishment and modernisation updates of major hydropower facilities as well as operation and maintenance best practices from across the continent will be presented and discussed.

Infrastructure development and African-appropriate engineering solutions to provide power to villages, rural areas and urban communities and achieving operational objectives while addressing environment and social challenges will be examined through case studies and interactive discussion forums.