Solar energy conference kicks off in Nairobi this week

Powerelec Kenya 2024, a solar energy trade show focusing on power, renewable energy, storage, and electrical industries, is scheduled to begin in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday.

The three-day event, which will conclude on Friday, will be held at the Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi.

Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi will be the Guest of Honor at the event, where he is expected to make a speech on the Kenya’s journey towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.

The event is organized by Dubai- based multi-national business events company Verifair, the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), Energy Valley Enterprise Development Institute (EVEDI) Korea, New Energy Industry Development Project Foundation Korea, and Interfairs Korea.

The previous edition held in 2023 featured exhibitors and suppliers from Kenya, India, UAE, China, UK, Spain, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, USA, Israel, Qatar, Canada, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, and many others. 

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2024’s solar installation expo in Kenya will showcase country pavilions from Korea, China, and India. This solar products expo in Kenya will be attended by trade delegations from different countries, among them being East Africa. More than 400 delegates – mainly investors – and 50 world-renowned speakers will attend the conference.

The principal sponsor for the event is renewable energy company Sungrow. Other include JA Solar, Eastman Solar, PowernSun, Sunwoda Energy, Canadian Solar and Gadgetronix.

Dozens of speakers are lined up to speak at the event, including Troy Barrie (Ariya Finergy), Mburu Anthony (DPA Kenya), Anne Kiburi (Sustainable Energy for All), Peter Waihenya (EPRA Kenya), Prinaven Naidoo (SUngrow Southern Africa), Elizabeth Nyambura (KEREA) and Daniel Njoroge Thuo (Canules-Auty International).

The list of speakers also includes Nancy Muhoya (EY East Africa), Asu Owino (W.Giertsen Energy Solutions), Fiona Magomere (Kenya Power), Adrian Mwai (Hewani Energy), Maxwell Ngala (RTI International), Ryan Okoth (JA Solar), Albert Nganga (CrossBoundary Energy), Gedion Vincent Ombajo (Collective Energy Africa) and Hellen Njeri (SIMA Funds).

Other speakers include Tombo Banda (CrossBoundary Energy), Peter Njoroge (Astronergy) and Mark Hankins (GET.invest).

As the event’s host, Kenya has a high potential for solar power. The government plans to increase the solar energy generation capacity to 600MW by 2030. The estimated solar potential in Kenya is almost 15,000MW.

brian@theenergyreview.com