Ghana produces big winners at the West African Power Industry Awards in Lagos this week

LAGOS, Nigeria - Nov. 24, 2016 - PRLog -- The third edition of the hugely successful West African Power Industry Awards took place at this year's West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) during a gala dinner where industry pioneers and projects were recognised and celebrated in eight different categories.

The Special Recognition Award went toMahama Kappiah, Executive Director, ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Ghana while the Ghana Grid Company Limited(GRIDCo) walked away with the coveted Excellence in Power Transmission or Distribution Award.

The Outstanding Woman in Power, Regional Award was won by Nigeria'sChantelle Abdul, CEO, MOJEC Meter Company and MOJEC Power.

The full list of the finalists in the West African Power Industry Awards:

Special Recognition Award
WINNER: - Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director, ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Ghana

Mahama Kappiah was eminent in the establishment of the Centre which aims to ensure increased access to reliable, affordable and clean energy in West Africa. Under his leadership, ECREEE has attained international recognition as a unique regional renewable energy and energy efficiency promotion agency in Africa.

Finalists:
- Abubakar Sani Sambo, Chairman, Nigerian Member Committee of the World Energy Council, Nigeria
- Akinwole Omoboriowo II, Chairman & CEO, Genesis Energy, Nigeria
- Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigeria
- Eli Jidere Bala, Director General, Energy Commission, Nigeria
- Oladele Amoda, Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, MD & CEO, Nigeria
- Nicholas Okafor, Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Nigeria
- Uzoma Achinanya, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Emtech Energy Services, Nigeria

Excellence in Power Generation
WINNER: Aggreko, West Africa

Aggreko has 1,300 MW on hire across 29 countries in Africa, including more than 550 MW in West Africa (serving customers across nine countries).

Finalists:
- Azito, Ivory Coast
- CIPREL Thermal Power Station, Ivory Coast
- Contour Global, Senegal
- Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria
- Volta River Authority, Ghana

Excellence in Power Transmission or Distribution

WINNER: Ghana Grid Company Limited, Ghana

In line with Power Sector Reforms in Ghana, GRIDCo was established to undertake power transmission services in an open and transparent manner. The company has steadily invested in the transmission system to increase its transmission lines to over 5,100 circuit kilometres (km) and fifty-four (54) substations by 2015 and also introduced a higher voltage class (330kV) into the transmission network.

Finalists:
- Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC, Nigeria

- Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Nigeria

- Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Nigeria

- Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Nigeria

CSR Initiative of the Year

WINNER: Solar Nigeria Programme, Nigeria

Businesses supported by Solar Nigeria provided more than 92,000 Nigerian homes with solar lighting or power systems between January and June 2016. More than 45,000 of these homes are located in Northern Nigeria.

Finalists:

- Africa GreenTec, Mali

- Ajima Farms and General Enterprises Nigeria Limited, Nigeria

- Green Energy & Biofuels, Nigeria

- Lagos Energy Academy, Nigeria

- Lagos Solar Project, Nigeria

- Light Up Lagos Initiative, Nigeria

Best Renewable Energy Project

WINNER: GVE Projects Limited, Nigeria

GVE Projects Limited is through their flagship "GVE-P(TM)" mini-grid model, deploying reliable, sustainable but affordable energy solutions to rural off-grid dwellers. Since inception in 2012, GVE has impacted about 30,000 households through our energy service delivery model.

Finalists:

- Africa GreenTec, Mali

- Beijing Xiaocheng Company, Ghana

- Photaz Energy, Nigeria

- Solar Nigeria, Nigeria

- Sosai Renewable Energies Company, Nigeria

- Strategic Power Solutions, Ghana

Outstanding Woman in Power, Regional Award, West Africa

WINNER: Chantelle Abdul, CEO, MOJEC Meter Company and MOJEC Power, Nigeria

As Chief Executive of Mojec Power and MOJEC Meter Company, Ms Abdul led the growth of the once small family business into one of the most iconic brands in the Nigerian power sector today as well as the largest smart meter manufacturer in Nigeria and possibly West Africa.

Finalists:

- Bahijjatu Hadiza Abubakar, National Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Programme, Federal  Ministry of Environment, Nigeria

- Damilola Ogunbiyi, General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Nigeria

- Eunice Biritwum, CEO, CENIT Energy Limited, Ghana

- H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Founder, Abze Solar S.A., Burkina Faso

- Subha Nagarajan, Managing Director: Africa Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Ivory Coast

Future Energy Leader Award

WINNER: Fadekunayo Adeniyi, Project Development Associate, Quaint Global Energy Solutions, Nigeria

Fadekunayo Adeniyi started renewable energy project development as part of the Quaint Global Energy Solutions team developing the 50 MW "ABIBA" solar power project in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Innovation Award
WINNER: Arnergy, Pay-As-You-Go Solar Home System

ARNERGY Pay-As-You-Go Solution is developed by Africans for Africans and it allows rural household and SMEs to rent solar power and using RANA, a proprietary mobile electricity vending apps that enables payment with or without mobile network.

WAPIC, a flagship, regional conference and exhibition, is taking place in Lagos from 23-24 November with an exciting interactive programme that reflects the dynamic energy landscape of the region and will once again attract some 2000 power professionals, high-level experts and industry stalwarts during the 13th edition of the event.

As in previous years of this flagship power event in the region, WAPIC secured impressive industry support. Global information and telecommunication giant Huawei will return as the exclusive diamond sponsor for the event for the third time. Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, is a platinum sponsor and Kedco a gold sponsor.

Website: http://www.wapicforum.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WAPIC_expo
LinkedIN: West African Power Forum - WAPIC

Contact:
Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com