Press Release 08 March 2007

Contact: Theresa Hedberg, t: +44 020 7734 5996

Media Round Table on Grand Inga Hydropower Projects
Endorsed by Sir David King

The World Energy Council (WEC), the leading global multi-national, multi-energy organisation whose mission is To promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all has taken it upon itself to facilitate the development of the Inga River projects to provide access to affordable and clean electricity to the millions of Africans who today have none. To further this project, WEC believes that a “Marshall Plan” for African development is long overdue and it is time for the G8 to deliver on its commitment to Africa and to climate change.

As the initial step, WEC is convening a high-level International Forum on the Grand Inga Projects “How to make the Grand Inga Hydropower Projects happen for Africa” which will take place in Gaborone, Botswana. André Caillé, Chair of the WEC and former CEO of Hydro Québec will chair the Forum, which is intended to bring together more than 100 high-level participants from over 30 countries both within and outside Africa.

Presentations and the Action Plan from this Forum are available online.

Prior to the Forum, WEC together with the Foreign Press Association organised a Media Round Table on Grand Inga in central London. This event is expected to get out a message about Grand Inga to a broad audience.

We are very delighted that Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government and Head of the Office of Science and Innovation, was able to share his view on the project together with WEC Chair, André Caillé and WEC Secretary General, Gerald Doucet.

For more details, please download the Press File