2023 Agenda

Opening from the MC

Government Opening Address:

As the world tackles the challenge of energy security, we need to take bold and collaborative action with governments and the private sector by Investing In policies that encourage Investment Into the energy sector. During this session a representative from the Department of Mineral Resources will set the tone during the opening of the Green Energy Africa Summit.

Ministry of Minerals & Resources, South Africa

MINISTERIAL PANEL DISCUSSION: African Energy Transition Plans

An efficient, secure, affordable, and sustainable power sector is vital to Africa's economic growth and transformation. This session invites government to discuss their countries plans to diversify Its energy mix to deliver consistent supply of power and unlock opportunities that will catapult public and private sector participation in their energy transition. 

PANEL DISCUSSION: Energy Leaders Debate

The fundamental question remains: ‘How can the African continent attain sustainability and increase access to modern energy services for its people? This session unites Africa’s energy leaders to share new perspectives and solutions on the role of renewables in increasing access to modern energy.  

Areas for discussion include: 

• How can Africa seek and explore innovative solutions for more energy and climate neutrality in the context of affordability and equality? 
• How to fast-track and deliver innovative projects in support of the global energy community. 
• How to harmonise national, regional, and continental activities to bring about the desired change. 
• How to incorporate and enable energy efficiency to achieve universal access to clean energy.

Networking Lunch

GOVERNMENT SPEECH

COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT- South Africa- The role of the Private Sector in the Energy Transition

South Africa has immense potential to further expand its renewable energy production when compared with other regions and represents a significant investment opportunity to diversify its power infrastructure. This session highlights growth areas in South Africa, along with the challenges and opportunities that exist. 

Areas for discussion include: 

• How will South Africa navigate a tougher global regulatory environment as the world pushes for a net zero?
• How will infrastructure projects be unlocked through public-private collaboration?
• Whilst it is agreed that the speed in how we develop more power is critical to our socio-economic development, the real challenge is how many truly bankable projects are available to investors to consider.
• Perspectives from developers leading projects. 

PRESENTATION: A Decentralised Electricity Market

This presentation will discuss the changes in the RSA and regional electricity markets and highlight the clear shift towards a more competitive and innovative electricity sector away from monopolistic electricity supply industry models. The presentation will highlight the benefits of a multi-market structure including physical, competitive, and regulated transactions and the role of traders in linking the markets, customers, and buyers.

PRESENTATION: Unlocking Opportunities in West Africa: The Case of Ghana

Ghana has a diverse energy mix, dominated by hydropower and natural gas with several solar and wind energy projects in the pipeline. To understand current dynamics in the country and explore various investment opportunities, we welcome the CEO fo the Volta River Authority (VRA) to speak about its portfolio management, expansion plans, and its approach to the energy transition.

Networking Coffee Break

PANEL DISCUSSION: De-Risking African Energy Projects

This session explores how African utilities, and the private sector can hedge against risks and make investments more attractive. It will examine the policy, regulation and tools available and what governments are doing to accelerate investment in their national energy sector.

Areas for discussion:  

• What are the key risks associated with energy projects in Africa and how can we address them? 
• How can new business models (embedded, captive etc) help incentivise private sector participation in African energy projects?
• What kind of policy frameworks have proven most attractive to make African energy projects more bankable?

PANEL DISCUSSION: Power Pools - Cross Boarder Harmonisation and Creating Regional Scale

Cross border harmonization of the electricity transmission network, regulatory principles and tariff frameworks at regional and continental levels are expected to bring about massive benefits, including increased cross-border trading and power pooling, as well as enhanced access to electricity at regional and continental levels. But how can regional power pools and their core member utilities engage private sector entities such as power producers, traders and industrial consumers to get involved? How can they create scalable opportunities, innovative business models and new market structures that are sustainable, equitable and competitive?

Areas for discussion include:

• From the perspective of Power Pools, what is the state of technical preparedness to enable full regional connectivity?
• What are the regulatory frameworks that would enable the smooth operation of power pools once full connectivity has been achieved?
• Effectively functioning power pools will require further investment in underlying infrastructures and a critical mass of distributed generation capacity, but also a shift in thinking from short-term oriented objectives towards long-term gains. What role would the private sector play in this?

Closing Remarks and End of Day Energy Strategy Forum

Morning Refreshments & Networking 

Opening from the MC

PANEL DISCUSSION: Towards New Market Models and Investments in Transmission? 

Expanding energy access in Africa and diversifying the continent's electricity necessarily requires significant investments into the strengthening and expansion of its transmission networks. However, while government and the public sector have traditionally funded capital-intensive transmission projects, increasing fiscal pressures and limited budget are pushing the continent to be innovative and seek private sector participation and alternative sources of funding.   

• What are the best business models available to African markets to develop their transmission networks? 
• What are the modalities and policies required to support the growth of independent or PPP transmission projects? 
• How is growing renewable energy adoption and storage technologies impacting the demand for transmission infrastructure? 
• Unlock the industrial and inclusive development of associated value chains.  

PRESENTATION: Geopolitical Energy Futures and South Africa's Pathways to 2035

This session delves into a project raining the uncertainties and opportunities presented by the evolving geopolitical energy landscape, with a particular focus on green energy prospects in Africa and their implications for South Africa. By employing strategic foresight and systemic innovation, we aim to reshape South Africa's energy future, fostering a climate-resilient and socially equitable economy by 2050. The session will highlight research completed in collaboration with esteemed institutions like South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, South African National Energy Development Institute, and others, aims to pave the way for sustainable green energy futures. 

MINISTERIAL COP PANEL DISCUSSION: The Road to COP28  

The outcome of COP27 generated mixed feelings for African nations. While the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund and the launch of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) were positive developments, ending energy poverty, increasing climate adaptation investments, and mobilising concessional finance are all urgent priorities that remain to be addressed. Ahead of COP28 in Dubai, this ministerial and high-level session seeks to articulate Africa's position and expectations from the next UN Climate Change Conference. 

Areas for discussion include:  

• What is the level of advancement of the Loss and Damage Fund and how can African nations benefit from its establishment? 
• What policies must be adopted to incentivise the growth of carbon markets in Africa? 
• What kind of infrastructure investments are required to build resilience across the continent? 
• What are the levels of funding requirements Africa needs to meet its sustainable development goals? 
• What are the key expectations of African nations from COP28?  

Networking Coffee Break 

PANEL DISCUSSION: The Policy and Regulatory Framework Needed to Attract Investment

Investment in sustainable energy requires a clear and stable policy and regulatory environment, which effectively balances commercial, social and environmental interests. Policy uncertainty, incoherent regulations and social and environmental conflicts will effectively deter investment in sustainable energy. Leaders in finance and energy, social activists and regulators identify the regulatory risk deterring investment in sustainable energy; and what can be done to mitigate them.

Areas for discussion include:

• From the regulatory perspective, what are the necessary policy reforms in the energy sector that would attract development finance?
• What are some of the policy and regulatory issues that may impede funding from commercial financial institutions?
• Given the scale of the energy crises in South Africa, why are many energy initiatives ending up in court?
• Regulatory clarity surrounding the Green Finance Taxonomy.
• Institutional Investment across North Africa and a winning formula to attract FDI

PANEL DISCUSSION: Financing Sustainable Energy

Africa needs stable, low-cost, sustainable power supplies to attract the businesses and investment needed for the economic and social development of its people and countries. This will require massive investment in sustainable energy projects. Leaders in finance and energy identify what is needed to attract the necessary scale of investment, while activists and regulators also set out their needs.

Areas for discussion include:

• What does the financial sector require to increase capital flow into sustainable energy projects in Africa?
• What can financial institutions do to develop robust ESG strategies?
• The role of financial institutions transitioning big clients and emitters on to sustainable energy?
• Innovative Sustainability Financing driving the integration of renewables

CLOSING REMARK: The Financial Services’ Sector's Commitment to Financing a Just Energy Transition 

PANEL DISCUSSION: Hydrogen Showcase: A Roadmap for Africa 

The discussion around hydrogen has accelerated in line with the global demand to decarbonize and the need for innovation and development surrounding green energy in Africa. Key projects around the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Project in the Namakwa Special Economic Zone, the Platinum Valley Initiative in South Africa, Namibia`s drive surrounding the Namibian Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Strategy and Sonangol's JV with GAUFF Engineering and Conjuncta's plant in Angola will offer tangible solutions to the regional energy security conundrum and opportunities for Africa's hydrogen export market. This session sets out how regional projects have gained traction and the socio-economic upside of large-scale hydrogen investment. 

Areas for discussion include:

• The role of hydrogen in the development of independent energy security across Africa
• Africa’s roadmap in becoming exporters of green hydrogen-derived products.
• How can hydrogen enable the decarbonization of domestic and regional industries across the region?
• What are the socioeconomic impacts of the development of Green Hydrogen hubs in Africa?
• Developing the hydrogen ecosystem: supply versus demand, domestic versus export.
• Blue versus green carbon capture.
• Permitting and frameworks.
• Investment incentives and government support.

Networking Lunch

Welcome Introduction by Kaashifah Beukes

Welcoming Speech by the Premier

PANEL DISCUSSION: South Africa's Roadmap to a Hydrogen Future

With significant potential to take advantage of the hydrogen economy due to its abundant PGMs reserves, its huge potential for renewable energy production and well-developed infrastructure South Africa Is at the cusp of leading Hydrogen projects In Africa. The session highlights strategy driving hydrogen, research and development and Investment opportunities.

Areas for discussion:

• Strategy for driving the development of the green hydrogen economy.
• Commercialising green hydrogen opportunities.
• Investment opportunities in hydrogen and challenges to drive project growth
• Current standing with grey and blue hydrogen?

THERM Development Thermal Systems

THERM Development specialises in developing thermal system design software, computational fluid dynamic analyses and thermal performance digital twins for optimized operation of heat exchangers and cooling systems.

Investment amount:  US$600, 000

AET AFRICA Energy Efficiency

AET Africa manufactures a product called Hotspot Geyser; it can heat up water within 30 minutes, reducing the time the geyser is switched on. It is a flexible glove-like device that is retrofitted over the geyser element and can be installed to reduce energy consumption on any conventional geyser.

Investment Amount: US$1000,000

Ceneco Green Power

Ceneco Green Power is tackling the problem of reliable and cost-effective energy access through various sustainable and innovative energy solutions. They have developed a Mobile Solar Power Plant that makesaccess to clean energy simple and swift. The Mobile Solar Power Plant is a pre-configured, plug-and-play solar power solution designed to improve access to reliable and cost-effective electricity in communities facing electricity access challenges.

Investment Amount: US$250,000

Energy Cube Energy Storage

Energy Cubes has developed a new technology to store electrical energy cost-effectively and sustainably. Their Battery revolutionizes energy storage by harnessing the force of gravity. Abandoned mines are converted into highly efficient energy storage units through a continuous loop storage and discharge mechanism.

Investment Amount: US$4,000,000

PRESENTATION BY: Overview of Technologies Enabling the Energy Transition

The presentation will provide an overview of the most relevant technologies that can support transition to a carbon-neutral energy system emerging in the global market. The presentation addresses long-distance transport of green or blue Hydrogen via ‘carrier’ molecules (NH3, LOHC), touching on technologies on either end of the transport chain, production routes to e-fuels, and the use of biogenic feedstocks for renewable fuels production (be it vegetable oils or solid biomass). CO2 Capture technology is discussed, both as a cornerstone in the production of e-fuels, as well as in the context of decarbonization (combined with sequestration) of existing industries as a transitory strategy.

Powerstove Energy

Powerstove designs and manufactures intelligent smoke-free cookstoves that self-generate electricity to charge cell phones and power home appliances using sustainable renewable bio-pellets as fuel, produced from post-harvest crop and wood wastes.

Investment Amount: $10,000,000

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION: EMobility and the Future of Battery, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and e-Fuels as energy sources 

While electric vehicles and eMobility are currently getting a lot of attention, it’s important to look holistically at how the landscape of energy sources complement each other for decarbonisation and mobility applications. 

Areas of discussion: 

• The state of play: where are we currently with eMobility in South Africa and Africa?
• Understanding the role of energy sources in powering Africa’s eMobility: renewable energy, hydrogen, and alternative clean fuels
• Decarbonising the transport sector: collaboration between industry players and what needs to happen. 

Revive Earth E-Mobility

Revive Earth convert gasoline-powered vehicles to 100% electric-powered vehicles. They also assemble/manufacture new, cheap, functional electric vehicles and operate a convenient battery charge/swap network. They have developed a kit to convert a particular tricycle model from gasoline-powered to electric-powered.

Investment Amount: US$800,000

Green Share Virtual Power Plant

Green Share is a peer-to-peer energy trading platform. Green Share assists with controlling and managing Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). They help with balancing the local grid and reduce load shedding. Green Share communicates to its partners to reduce or inject power into the grid when the grid is under strain.

Investment Amount: US$3,00,000

ThinkBikes E-Mobility

Thinkbikes provides last-mile transportation using Electric cargo bikes made available for ridesharing and lease to individuals and businesses in urban and rural communities for affordable clean mobility of goods using a mobile app. The electric bikes are designed to operate off-road and can reach rural communities, enabling small businesses and farmers to overcome transportation barriers.

Investment Amount: US$200,000

Flx EV E-Mobility

Flx EV is decarbonising the South African minibus taxi (MBT) industry by implementing electric minibus taxis and public charging facilities. Their business is centered around a healthier, more profitable, and more sustainable MBT industry in South Africa. Flx EV estimate that using their electric minibus taxi will save operators up to 60% of current operational expenditure, resulting in significant increases in profitability.

Investment Amount: USD$600,000 to USD$6.500,000

PANEL DISCUSSION: Just Energy Transition:

JETPs should serve as a beacon to the wider investment community that participating governments are committed to a global clean energy transition. As countries move towards putting these JETPs into practice, governments, policy makers and industry should collaborate to ensure recently announced partnerships deliver on their potential by avoiding false solutions, prioritizing renewables, and ensuring these efforts are informed by the latest available thinking on how to ensure a just transition.

Impact-Free Water Wave Energy

Impact Free–Water has developed a wave energy converter (WEC) that uses wave energy to pressurise and pump seawater for the purposes of seawater desalination and electrical power production. The WEC pumps water at pressure to be used for mariculture, electricity generation, electricity free desalination and green hydrogen amongst other uses.

Investment Amount: US$180,000

Networking Break

Announcement of winners

Closing remarks

PANEL DISCUSSION: The role of African Critical Minerals in the Global Energy Transition

The rise of low-carbon power generation to meet climate goals also means a tripling of mineral demand from this sector by 2040. How can Africa capitalise and supply the huge demand for critical minerals to power the global energy transition. Across this session we will hear from manufacturers, technology providers and mining companies as to how the critical minerals market will play out, the impact it will have on the cost of the energy transition and the viability, cost, and availability of critical minerals to make the regional and international energy transition possible.

Closing Remarks & End of Green Energy Africa Forum