Energy engineers in East Africa launched an association that will ensure highest standards of professionalism and efficiency in energy management within the region. The Association of Energy Professionals Eastern Africa (AEPEA) is the regional chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The regional body was launched during a workshop on the National Energy Policy sponsored by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

 

 

AEE is the world’s leading professional body of certified energy professionals with over 17,000 members across the globe.

 

The AEPEA Chapter President, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA) and the Director of Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) Prof. Izael Da Silva said the association will promote scientific, educational and business interests of those engaged in the industry. “We now have an association that will advance by lawful means the common purposes of its members, and promote activities designed to enable the industry to be conducted with the greatest economy and efficiency,” he said.

 

The association will promote training and capacity development of the professionals interested in careers in energy management.

 

Guest of Honour Eng. Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, lauded the body for starting an association of this kind. Eng. Njoroge explained the importance of Energy to any development in the country stating that it is well needed for the basics, food and water, and as result the ministry will support initiatives that will enhance it.  

 

“Energy plays a key role in economic development and as professionals, we will use the Association to co-operate with other stake holders and promote dissemination of scientific and educational information to those engaged in the energy industry,” said Eng. Simon Ngure – AEPEA Vice President and Director of Regulation and Corporate Affairs at KenGen. Eng. Ngure also added that this Association gives energy professionals a platform to communicate effectively with the public in creating awareness of the importance of managing energy.

KenGen donated Kshs. 1 million to AEPEA at the launch.

 

AEPEA was granted chapter status by the AEE on 30^th September, 2014 and was duly registered as an Association in Kenya in December 2014.

 

The Association currently has over 100 members drawn from the Public and Private sectors, Academia and the Development sectors.

 

AEPEA will spearhead research in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy management, and facilitate exchange programs with international bodies involved in energy management.

 

The AEPEA is also custodian of administering AEE training and certification programs in EA, and has already begun providing training locally for professionals to become Certified Energy Managers (CEM).

 

CEM is the most widely recognized certification of competence by professionals in energy management. Kenya has the highest number of certified energy managers in Africa after South Africa.