African Utility Week going ahead as planned despite water shortages.
“What is happening in Cape Town could happen anywhere” says Paul Yillia, Guest Research Scholar (Water Programme) at theInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria. “As population in cities grow and economic activities increase, the demand for water will continue to increase. If we now factor in climate change and extreme weather events such as prolonged heat waves and droughts, all of this will put additional pressure on water availability both on the supply and demand side. This not unique to Cape Town. Utilities worldwide should take the threats posed by climate change much more seriously and focus additional resources on adaptation measures to cope with water security challenges that will be exacerbated by climate change.”
Paul is a returning featured speaker at African Utility Week in Cape Town from 15-17 May. The event will focus strongly on water including investment needed in water solutions by the public and private sectors to enable universal access, water security and resilient societies. The strategic water conference will also showcase how partnerships, financial models and latest technological advances can make the greatest impact in meeting Africa’s water demand.
Water situation should be top priority
“We want utilities to start thinking out of the box on water solutions, capabilities and solutions,” says Gerardt P. Viljoen, Managing Director of Sensus SA and GM for Sensus in Africa, an event sponsor and also a conference speaker.
He continues: “the water situation in South Africa is not only worrisome it should be considered as THE top priority for any form of economic sustainability. Increasing storing capabilities, reviewing traditional catchment areas and weather pattern changes, recycling of water and waste water treatment, network infrastructure maintenance and demand side management should all be top NATIONAL priorities going forward.”
The Sensus SA MD adds: “it’s important to not only have smart metering. Smart metering should be intelligent. How to make smart metering intelligent and use it to solve infrastructure, supply and demand issues is what we are all about this year.”
- The full interviews with Gerardt Viljoen and Paul Yillia can be read on: http://www.african-utility-week.com/expertinterviews
Event going ahead as planned despite water shortages
Meanwhile, the organisers of African Utility Week have assured all stakeholders in this long running conference and exhibition that the event will go ahead as planned despite the current water restrictions in Cape Town.
“As a major event in the City, African Utility Week plays a crucial role in contributing towards the in-ward bound travel market,” says event director Evan Schiff, “by holding the event as planned, African Utility Week will continue to support the Cape Town economy as we cannot allow for there to be massive job losses on top of a water constrained situation.”
Award-winning energy platform
The 18th annual, multi-award winning African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers.
The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.
Dates for African Utility Week:
- Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
- Awards gala dinner: 16 May 2018
- Site visits: 18 May 2018
- Location: CTICC, Cape Town.
