WEC Inside 

   

1–15 February 2014 

Welcome to WEC Inside, your exclusive briefing from your WEC network

News 

The World Energy Council held its inaugural World Energy Leaders’ Dialogue (WELD) in Abu Dhabi last week (21 January).

Opening the event, His Excellency Suhail Al Mazourei, UAE energy minister, commented on how renewable energy is becoming a viable solu-tion even for countries rich in fossil fuels. In his address, he explained that in the UAE, which has prioritised nuclear, renewables, and gas, renewa-ble energy is set to grow as it competes with LNG imports. As most GCC states (except Qatar) do not have enough gas to support the demand in elec-

World Energy Leaders’ Dialogue held in Abu Dhabi tricity growth, he believed that the renewables in-dustry has the potential to benchmark itself with nuclear and natural gas.

Marie-José Nadeau, WEC Chair and event co-host, recognised the UAE’s achievements in diversi-fying its energy mix despite being a fossil-fuel rich country by incorporating renewables as a strategic resource.

The WELD gathered senior decision-makers from government, business, and multi-lateral organi-sations. Notable speakers include H.E. Abdul Hussein Ali Mirza, Bahrain electricity minister; Carlos Pascual, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, USA; and Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of the IEA.

Several issues of critical concern to the Middle East dominated the agenda, including the water–energy nexus, the impact of the boom in unconven-tionals in the Middle East, and the future of energy subsidies.

The event was organised alongside the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), an annual confer-ence promoting the growth of new and renewable forms of energy.

1–15 February 2014 WEC Inside 1

What’s new at the Indaba?

We are always trying to stimulate new thinking and catalyse the search for solutions to the energy challenges facing the African continent. Conse-quently, while the essential framework of the event remains constant, there are also new features. There are a number of key firsts.

It is 12 years since a Chair of the WEC attend-ed an event of the South African National Energy Association. We are indeed very pleased that Mrs Marie-José Nadeau is coming to Johannesburg to participate in this event.

In conjunction with the WEC we will be holding two “Indaba Energy Leaders’ Dialogue” sessions. These sessions will be a first and we plan to use them to enrich the overall Indaba programme.

Moreover, the 2014 event will feature the flag-ship studies of the WEC. The opening plenary panel will have the energy trilemma as its theme and the closing plenary panel will deal with energy scenarios.

The Gauteng province has embraced Indaba as an important opportunity for business match-making and specifically the critical issue of infra-structure development. Also, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will be holding a partner event in conjunction with the Indaba.

Interview 

What are some of the highlights?

Apart from the “firsts” mentioned earlier, we have a very credible faculty of panel members who will be talking about the energy issues facing the African continent. The themes for the 10 panels are close-ly aligned with the critical uncertainties facing African energy leaders identified: decentralised energy supply, skills development for energy, energy–water–food nexus, carbon management, role of government and market in energy security, political volatility and funding risk, energy for transport, regional interconnection, electricity stor-age, and realisation of the potential of gas. The exhibition is well supported with a greater diversity of countries and technologies represented.

How has Africa’s energy agenda changed since the same time last year?

The African energy agenda has not changed much since the same time last year. Africa has such a deficit in terms of providing energy systems that are secure, sustainable and reach all citizens that it will be many years before the priorities shift. Energy access remains a critical issue, especially for sub-Saharan Africa. The availability of capital, both financial and know-how, also remains a key

concern. The global climate framework is also a key uncertainty for Africa, as it is for most regions.

Why should people attend the Indaba?

The vast African continent is endowed with plentiful resources; both physical and human. Sadly these resources remain largely undeveloped and the potential is unrealised. Africa Energy Indaba is specifically structured as a means for Africans, and others, who are interested in unlocking Africa’s potential to come together in search of solutions. This is not a once-off event. It is an integral part of an ongoing process. There are many opportunities for those with vision and the courage to address these issues. This is the forum where delegates will lay the foundations for an exciting future. ■

Energy leaders will again descend on Johannesburg for this month’s Africa Energy Indaba, the WEC’s Africa regional event. Brian Statham, Chair of the Indaba, tells us more.

News continued on page 2 ...

Marie-José Nadeau spoke at a WFES keynote panel on the day before. Other panellists included Maria van der Hoeven.

Mrs Nadeau also held talks with Mary Robin-son, former president of the Republic of Ireland and head of the Mary Robinson Foundation to discuss how to advance social justice in the energy sector.

Brian Statham is Chair of the South African Energy Associa-tion the WEC’s South African member committee which is co-organising the Africa Energy Indaba. He also chairs the WEC’s Studies Committee.

Suhail Al Mazourei, UAE energy minister, opened the World Energy Leaders’ Dialogue in Abu Dhabi

From left: Abdul Hussein Ali Mirza, Bahrain electricity minister; Carlos Pascual, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, USA

The 2014 World Energy Issues Monitor will be released on 18 February at the African Energy Indaba. Member Committees will receive the report this week in advance of its global launch. ■