Power Leaders Assess Climate Change and Economic Impacts at CEPSI 2008
November 01, 2008 – Achilles and the Asia Pacific Utilities Group recently exhibited at the 17th Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI 2008).
Global leaders of the electric power supply industry gathered to address climate change and economic issues in Macau, between 27 - 31 October, 2008. More than a thousand delegates registered to this biennial event which was held at the lavish Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel.
With the theme “Power Sector in a Fast Climate Changing World”, CEPSI tackled key issues concerning energy saving measures as well as balancing the act of providing energy and sustaining environmental preservation.
In his opening speech, Franklin Willemyns, Chairman of the CEPSI 2008 Organizing Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of Companhia de Electricidade de Macau, CEM - S.A. (CEM) said that, “Climate Change is on everyone’s agenda. Irrefutable proof has been provided by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which led to their winning of the Nobel Peace Prize. To doubt or ignore this phenomenon is impractical and dangerous because: Firstly, it cannot be solved just politically - as even if governments formulate the best policies in the world, without the business sector’s participation and conviction - all will be pointless. Secondly, it is a problem without borders - we need all nations of the world to co-opt on this agenda in order to move it forward.”
“Being one of the most significant industrial conferences within Asia Pacific, CEPSI 2008 is truly at the forefront of this problem and we bring in all the industry experts to discuss on its solution. Our collective knowledge and experience will be our best defense to this dilemma,” Willemyns added.
As the main networking platform of the Association of the Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia and the Western Pacific (AESIEAP) - this regional grouping of power utilities from 19 countries and regions represents the voice of the major players in this industry. 2008 is the 17th edition of CEPSI, which started more than 30 years ago.
Mr. Willemyns in his closing message mentioned, “The potential for innovation, creativity and of course for business growth is enormous. With the right political will and regulatory framework for business, it can unleash a commercial force to take the action forward, providing jobs, technology and new business opportunities as well as protecting the world we live in. So in our small way, I hope that CEPSI 2008 will become an opportunity for all of us to come together and help solving the challenges of our industry and I am confident we will seize this opportunity.”
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