Shaping the privatisation of Nigeria's most important sectors: power generation and distribution

The agenda for PA:CO will identify the key challenges and investment opportunities associated with the co-generation markets in Africa, examining the potential for power generation, project financing issues and the relationship between the public and the private sectors. Improved efficiency for every aspect of power provision and consumption must be a goal, not only to meet environmental targets, but to increase availability, and ultimately the competitiveness of a country’s industry. The PA:CO programme will be structured as a series of questions, allowing all participants to get involved in the debate and meet the industries' key investors.

The Need for Power

Industry drives growth. People need industry. Governments need industry. Industry needs affordable power. The demand for power in Africa is unstoppable, both from industry and the population. Industry needs reliable power to operate efficiently, the population wants power as a basic need. The two sectors share a common need that if creatively explored, could be of benefit to both.

The Need for Efficiency

Wasting power is not an option. The efficiency of cogeneration is established, and therefore should be adopted wherever feasible. There should be no regulatory barriers to the expansion of cogeneration, certainly given the associated environmental benefits.

The Need for Reliability

Downtime can cripple a business. Power outages are therefore potentially catastrophic. To avoid these it might be necessary to generate one’s own power supply. The cost is high, but are there ways of reducing costs? What are the economics of captive power? Could there be feed-in opportunities? What are the environmental considerations?

The Need for Independence

Industry could contract with an independent power plant, if the terms were right. But control of power generation is often a zealously protected privilege. Escalating demand and independent regulators are beginning to unseat the status quo.

The Cost of Power

For many industries, power is a major cost and hence an important part of corporate planning, both short and long term. The lively discussions at last year’s meeting showed the passion executives have to find answers to problems they know are solvable.

Information Exchange

The aim of PACO is to share experience of cogeneration and captive power, and explore opportunities in both. Members will also examine how independent power suppliers can play an increasing role in the provision of power to industry. The format for PACO allows for frank, wide-ranging discussions. It is a collaborative meeting, where members identify their interest. Questions are gathered through consultation, and serve as a framework for the discussion.  

Email amy@energynet.co.uk for more details on how to register