تم تقدير الشركة كأفضل مبادرة للصحة والسلامة في العام
شركة شقيقة تم تقديرها على التوالي كأفضل مقاول متخصص في العام
حصدت شركة الطاقة جلوبال، التي تتخذ من دبي مقرًا لها، والتي تعد موفرًا عالميًا لحلول الطاقة المؤقتة، والشركة الشقيقة لها، Altaaqa Alternative Solutions (الطاقة)، والتي تعد الموفر الرئيسي لحلول الطاقة الكهربية والمياه والتحكم في درجات الحرارة في المملكة العربية السعودية، مجموعة من الجوائز الكبرى في احتفال جوائز MEP لعام 2014، والذي عقد في مدينة دبي في 26 من نوفمبر، عام 2014، في فندق سوفيتيل دبي بمنتجع ونادي النخيل الصحي. وقد تم تقدير دور شركة الطاقة جلوبال نظير مبادراتها المتميزة في مجال الصحة والسلامة والأمن فيما يتعلق باستغلال موظفيها ومعداتها في البيئات المعادية، بينما فازت الشركة الشقيقة لها، Altaaqa Alternative Solutions، والتي تتخذ من جدة مقرًا لها، بجائزة أفضل مقاول متخصص في العام، بعد النجاح في إتمام مشروع محطة الطاقة المؤقتة بقدرة 95 ميجا وات في الخرج بالمملكة العربية السعودية، والذي تم تنفيذه خلال 22 يومًا فقط.
وقد تمكنت شركة الطاقة جلوبال من تحقيق هذا الإنجاز من بين مجموعة كبيرة من الشركات الضخمة التي كانت مرشحة للفوز به، بما في ذلك ETA Engineering وArabian MEP Contracting وMercury MENA وAECOM وALEMCO. وقد تفوقت شركة الطاقة على مجموعة متميزة من الشركات التي وُضعت في القائمة النهائية للمرشحين للفوز بالجوائز، بما في ذلك Arabian MEP Contracting وSEMCO.
وتمنح جائزة أفضل مبادرة للصحة والسلامة في العام لشركة تتفوق في الاحتفاظ بمعايير الصحة والسلامة أو تحسينها في مواقع المشروعات الخاصة بها، أو لشركة تتمكن من تقديم تدريب مخصص أو مبادرة متعلقة بالتوعية. ووفقًا لهيئة التحكيم الموقرة، أظهر المشروع الذي تقدمت به شركة الطاقة جلوبال والذي يحمل العنوان “توفير الأمن الكافي في البيئات المعادية” أنه من خلال التخطيط الواعي لتقييم مخاطر المشروع، يمكن ضمان حماية الأرواح أثناء تنفيذ المشاريع رغم الظروف الصعبة للغاية.
وتعليقًا على هذا الإنجاز الأحدث للشركة، قال بيتر دين بوجرت، المدير الإداري لشركة الطاقة جلوبال “إننا نشعر بالفخر، ولكننا متواضعون، بسبب تقديرنا من خلال واحدة من أكثر المنشورات مصداقية واحترامًا في المنطقة. وبلا أدنى شك، فإننا نهدي هذه الجائزة للرجال والنساء المجتهدين للغاية في شركة الطاقة جلوبال، الذين واجهوا حالات عدم الاستقرار الأمني وأصعب الظروف الجوية في المناطق التي تعمل بها الشركة. كما أننا نشارك هذا التقدير مع المهندسين المحليين ووكالات الأمن والصحة والسلامة والبيئة والتي ساعدت فرق العمل الداخلية بالشركة في الحفاظ على أعلى معايير السلامة والإدارة البيئية في مواقع محطات الطاقة التي نعمل بها”.
وهناك إنجاز آخر، ألا وهو جائزة أفضل مقاول متخصص في العام، وهي تمنح لشركة لعبت دورًا محوريًا في التنمية المستمرة لقطاع MEP، وتعزز الاستدامة وفاعلية التكلفة، مما يساعد قطاع MEP على وضع المعايير الذاتية له في مختلف أرجاء العالم. واحتفاءً بهذا الإنجاز التاريخي الذي تم تنفيذه في 22 يومًا بإنشاء محطة طاقة بقدرة 95 ميجا وات في الخرج بالمملكة العربية السعودية، اقتنعت لجنة التحكيم بأن شركة الطاقة قد أظهرت أنه من خلال مستوى مرتفع من التنسيق والتخطيط، ومن خلال ما قال عنه القضاة “أعصاب من الصلب”، تتمكن الشركة من الوفاء بالمتطلبات التي تمثل تحديات ضخمة.
وقال عماد المخللاتي، المدير الإداري لشركة الطاقة في معرض خطابه بالمناسبة “سوف تزيد هذه الجائزة من شجاعة فريق العمل في الطاقة من أجل الاستمرار في توفير المزيد من الحلول الإبداعية وعالية الجودة لعملاء الشركة التي تتجاوز عن توقعاتهم”.
وقال ستيفن ميريك، معلقًا بالنيابة عن مجلس إدارة شركة الطاقة جلوبال وAltaaqa Alternative Solutions، أن هذه الجوائز التقديرية يمكن أن تمنح كلا الشركتين المزيد من الإلهام لتحسين العمليات ومتابعة تنفيذ المشروعات التي تطلق العنان لحدود الهندسة بمزيد من الشجاعة، مع تحسين أفضل الممارسات في مجالي الصحة والسلامة.
وقد شارك ماجد زاهد، الذي تحدث بالنيابة عن المنظمة الأم التي تتبعها الشركة، مجموعة الزاهد، هذا التميز مع شعوب وحكومات الدول التي وثقت في الشركات الموجودة في المجموعة من أجل تنفيذ مشروعات الطاقة الحيوية في الأوقات التي كانت تحتاج إلى الطاقة فيها بشدة. وقال “رغم أن العديد من مشروعاتنا تتم في بيئات شديدة العدائية، إلا أنه بفضل الله، يستمد فريق العمل لدينا قوته من الاستمرار في البحث عن التميز فيما يتعلق بخدمة الشعوب من خلال محطات الطاقة الحديثة للغاية التي نقوم بتوفيرها لهم. وسوف نستمر في توفير الطاقة للأقاليم والمدن والشركات الصناعية، وكلها تعد بمثابة محددات ضرورية للتنمية العالمية”.
النهاية
نبذة عن شركة الطاقة جلوبال
تعد شركة الطاقة جلوبال أحد فروع مجموعة زاهد، وقد اختارتها شركة Caterpillar Inc. لتقديم الحلول الشاملة للطاقة المؤقتة ومتعددة الميجاوات حول العالم. الشركة تمتلك وتجهز وتنشئ وتشغل محطات الطاقة المستقلة (IPP’s) والمؤقتة والفعالة بمواقع العملاء وتركز على الأسواق النامية في منطقة جنوب الصحراء الكبرى، وآسيا الوسطى، وشبه القارة الهندية، وأمريكا اللاتينية، وجنوب شرق آسيا، والشرق الأوسط، وشمال إفريقيا. بتوفير معدات الطاقة المؤقتة التي تعمل على أنواع مختلفة من الوقود، مثل الديزل أو الغاز الطبيعي أو الوقود المزدوج، تتميز شركة الطاقة جلوبال بقدرتها على الإمداد السريع وتوفير الحلول لمحطات الطاقة المؤقتة وتوفير الكهرباء في أي وقت وفي أي مكان حيث كان لازمًا.
http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/press-media/press-releases
نبذة عن مجموعة زاهد
تمثل مجموعة زاهد تشكيلة متنوعة من الشركات وتقدم حلولاً شاملة تلبي متطلبات العملاء في العديد من القطاعات المزدهرة. ومن بين هذه القطاعات التي تقدم لها المجموعة خدماتها، قطاع البناء، والتعدين، والنفط والغاز، والزراعة، والطاقة، وتوليد الكهرباء والمياه، ومعالجة المواد، ومواد البناء، والنقل، والمواد اللوجستية، والتطوير العقاري والسياحة والسفر، والضيافة.
استفسارات صحفية
روبرت باجاتسنج
شركة الطاقة جلوبال
هاتف: +971 56 1749505
طلبات القراء
شركة الطاقة جلوبال
قسم التسويق
صندوق بريد 262989
دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة
حظت الشركة بتكريم كبير بفوزها بجائزة التميز للطاقة ضمن جوائز معهد الطاقة لعام 2014، بلندن، بالمملكة المتحدة
حازت شركة الطاقة جلوبال، المزود العالمي لحلول الطاقة المؤقتة، على تكريم كبير بمنحها جائزة التميز للطاقة لإنشائها محطة كهرباء بقدرة 54 ميجاوات في 23 يومًا في عدن، باليمن، في حفل توزيع جوائز معهد الطاقة لعام 2014 الذي عُقد في 13 نوفمبر في فندق شيراتون بارك لين في لندن. ومن خلال بحثها، الذي يحمل العنوان “إعادة بناء أمة مزقتها الحرب”، رُشّحت شركة الطاقة جلوبال لهذا الشرف بين مجموعة من المرشحين المتميزين، والتي شملت الاتحاد الدولي لمنتجي النفط والغاز، ووزارة الدفاع البريطانية، وأوبن انرجي، وأجريجيت إندستريز.
وتهدف جائزة التميز للطاقة إلى منح تقدير خاص لصاحب الإنجاز المتميز في صناعة الطاقة، مع الاحتفال بالتفكير المتجدد، والحل الاستراتيجي والمبتكر للمشكلات. وللتأهل للحصول على الجائزة، كان ينبغي على الإنجاز الذي حققته شركة ما أو مشروع ما أن يكون له تأثير بعيد المدى في جميع مجالات الصناعة. كما قال المنظمون، تمتد الجائزة إلى كل فئة من الفئات الأخرى، وتمثل قمة الإنجاز في صناعة الطاقة.
وقد علّق بيتر دين بوجيرت، المدير العام لشركة طاقة جلوبال، من داخل الحدث، قائلا “نحن فخورون وبتواضع لتقديرنا من هيئة الطاقة الأكثر شهرة في المملكة المتحدة. وهذا التقدير هو شهادة على العمل الشاق الذي قام به الرجال والنساء العاملون في شركة الطاقة جلوبال في المشروع، متحدّين عدم الاستقرار الأمني وأقسى الظروف الجوية. علاوة على ذلك نتقدم بخالص امتناننا للمهندسين اليمنيين المحليين الذين عملوا جنبًا إلى جنب معنا في انجاز هذا المشروع التاريخي”.
كما أرجع ماجد زاهد، مدير الحسابات الإستراتيجية لشركة الطاقة جلوبال، هذا الانجاز لأهل عدن، باليمن، قائلا: “نحن نتشارك في هذا التميز مع شعب اليمن، بما في ذلك قيادة البلاد، الذين عهدوا إلينا بتوفير الكهرباء التي تشتد الحاجة إليها في خضم إعادة بناء دولتهم. وقد واجه هذا المشروع تحديات لا تعد ولا تحصى، ولكننا تحلينا بالقوة والمثابرة للمواصلة مستمدين ذلك من إيمانهم وأملهم. وعلاوة على ذلك، فإن هذا المشروع لم يكن ليكون له مغزى دون الاستجابة الإيجابية التي أظهرها شعب اليمن نحو حملات الحفاظ على الطاقة وحملات الاستخدام الفعال التي قمنا بعملها”.
وقال ستيفن ميريك، ممثل مجلس إدارة شركة الطاقة جلوبال، إن هذا التقدير من شأنه أن يشجع الشركة بصورة أكبر لتحسين عملياتها والقيام بالمشاريع التي تسهم في دفع عجلة الإبداع الهندسي، حيث قال: “هذا التكريم الكبير من معهد الطاقة يجسد الخطوات التقدمية التي اتخذتها شركة الطاقة جلوبال نحو تحقيق الأهداف الطموحة للغاية التي وضعناها لأنفسنا. وسوف نواصل تحدي أنفسنا في كل مشروع نقوم به ونبني على الإبداع الذي قدمناه في الماضي.”
مشروع 54 ميجاوات الذي قامت به شركة الطاقة جلوبال في عدن، باليمن تم إنشاءه والانتهاء منه أثناء تعافى البلاد من تأثيرات الربيع العربي. كانت محطة الطاقة المؤقتة، التي شُيّدت في 23 يومًا فقط، قادرة على توفير إمدادات الكهرباء لأكثر من نصف مليون شخص. وقد دفع نجاح المشروع الحكومة اليمنية إلى إضافة 50 ميجاوات إلى المنشأة القائمة، ليصل إجمالي الطاقة الإنتاجية لمحطة توليد الكهرباء إلى 104 ميجاوات.
لقراءة المزيد عن هذا الحدث: http://bit.ly/14tYdd6
النهاية
نبذة عن شركة الطاقة جلوبال
تعد شركة الطاقة جلوبال أحد فروع مجموعة زاهد، وقد اختارتها شركة Caterpillar Inc. لتقديم الحلول الشاملة للطاقة المؤقتة ومتعددة الميجاوات حول العالم. الشركة تمتلك وتجهز وتنشئ وتشغل محطات الطاقة المستقلة (IPP’s) والمؤقتة والفعالة بمواقع العملاء وتركز على الأسواق النامية في منطقة جنوب الصحراء الكبرى، وآسيا الوسطى، وشبه القارة الهندية، وأمريكا اللاتينية، وجنوب شرق آسيا، والشرق الأوسط، وشمال إفريقيا. بتوفير معدات الطاقة المؤقتة التي تعمل على أنواع مختلفة من الوقود، مثل الديزل أو الغاز الطبيعي أو الوقود المزدوج، تتميز شركة الطاقة جلوبال بقدرتها على الإمداد السريع وتوفير الحلول لمحطات الطاقة المؤقتة وتوفير الكهرباء في أي وقت وفي أي مكان حيث كان لازمًا.
http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/press-media/press-releases
نبذة عن مجموعة زاهد
تمثل مجموعة زاهد تشكيلة متنوعة من الشركات وتقدم حلولاً شاملة تلبي متطلبات العملاء في العديد من القطاعات المزدهرة. ومن بين هذه القطاعات التي تقدم لها المجموعة خدماتها، قطاع البناء، والتعدين، والنفط والغاز، والزراعة، والطاقة، وتوليد الكهرباء والمياه، ومعالجة المواد، ومواد البناء، والنقل، والمواد اللوجستية، والتطوير العقاري والسياحة والسفر، والضيافة.
استفسارات صحفية
روبرت باجاتسنج
شركة الطاقة جلوبال
هاتف: +971 56 1749505
طلبات القراء
شركة الطاقة جلوبال
قسم التسويق
صندوق بريد 262989
دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة
Компания была высоко отмечена включением в номинацию на получение награды за выдающиеся достижения в сфере энергетики в рамках Церемонии вручения премий Института энергетики 2014 в Лондоне, Великобритания
Компания Altaaqa Global, поставляющая решения временного энергоснабжения по всему миру, удостоилась включения в номинацию на Energy Excellence Award – награду за выдающиеся достижения в сфере энергетики – в рамках Церемонии вручения премий Института энергетики 2014 года, состоявшейся 13 ноября в Отеле Шератон Парк Лейн в Лондоне. Компания Altaaqa Global, установившая электростанцию мощностью в 54 МВт в г. Аден, Йемен, всего за 23 дня (название проекта в конкурсном списке – «Воссоздание государства, истерзанного войной»), попала в одну номинацию с такими «звездными» участниками, как Международная ассоциация производителей нефти и газа, Министерство обороны Великобритании, компании Open Energi и Aggregate Industries.
Цель награды за выдающиеся достижения в сфере энергетики – отметить официальным признанием успех компании в энергетической отрасли, поощрить нестандартное мышление, стратегический и новаторский подход к решению проблем. Стать номинантом на получение этой награды может лишь компания или проект, чьи достижения способны оказать масштабное влияние на все области промышленности. Говоря словами организаторов, награда предполагает охват всех прочих категорий и знаменует вершину достижений в энергетической промышленности.
В своем комментарии с места проведения мероприятия Петер ден Боогерт, генеральный директор компании Altaaqa Global, сказал: «Мы одновременно испытываем гордость и смущение от того, что получили признание со стороны самого престижного в Великобритании учреждения, занимающегося энергетикой. Это признание – дань тяжелому труду, который вложили в проект сотрудники и сотрудницы Altaaqa Global, не побоявшиеся ни переменчивой обстановки в плане безопасности, ни самых суровых погодных условий. Мы также выражаем нашу искреннюю благодарность местным инженерам Йемена, работавшим вместе с нами над этим историческим проектом».
Маджид Захид, директор компании Altaaqa Global по работе со стратегически важными клиентами, считает номинацию заслугой населения Адена: «Мы разделяем оказанную нам честь с народом Йемена, в том числе с его лидерами, которые доверили нам обеспечение государства электричеством, столь необходимым ему для восстановления. Наш проект столкнулся с множеством препятствий, однако вера и надежда жителей Йемена служили для нас источником силы и упорства в его реализации. Кроме того, этот проект не стал бы настолько значимым без положительного отклика населения Йемена на наши кампании по сбережению и рациональному использованию энергии».
Стивен Мейрик, представитель Правления Altaaqa Global, уверен, что это признание послужит для компании стимулом к тому, чтобы и в дальнейшем совершенствовать процессы и браться за проекты, выходящие за привычные рамки инженерной мысли: «Высокая оценка со стороны Института энергетики подтверждает правильность последовательных шагов, которые компания Altaaqa Global делала для достижения своих грандиозных целей. Мы продолжим бросать вызов самим себе в каждом следующем проекте, и в его реализации опираться на новаторские решения, которые мы внедрили ранее».
Проект Altaaqa Global в г. Аден, Йемен, заключавшийся в установке 54-мегаваттной электростанции, был реализован в период восстановления этого государства после Арабской весны. Построенная всего за 23 дня, временная электростанция позволила обеспечить электричеством более полумиллиона жителей. Успех этого проекта навел правительство Йемена на мысль об увеличении мощности существующей установки на 50 МВт, в результате чего общая мощность электростанции достигнет 104 МВт.
Больше информации о мероприятии: http://bit.ly/14tYdd6
Конец
О компании Altaaqa Global
Компания Altaaqa Global, являющаяся подразделением группы компаний Zahid Group, была выбрана компанией Caterpillar Inc. в качестве поставщика решений по обеспечению энергоснабжения по всему миру в объеме, измеряющемся многими мегаваттами. Компания владеет, мобилизует, устанавливает и эксплуатирует эффективные временные независимые электростанции (НЭС) на объектах заказчиков, сосредоточившись на развивающихся рынках регионов Африки, расположенных к югу от Сахары, Центральной Азии, Индостана, Латинской Америки, Юго-Восточной Азии, Ближнего Востока и Северной Африки. Наличие сдаваемого в аренду оборудования, работающего на различных видах топлива, таких как дизельное топливо, природный газ или двойное топливо, позволяет компании Altaaqa Global поставлять и в короткие сроки развертывать временные электростанции, обеспечивая энергоснабжение там, где необходимо, и тогда, когда это необходимо.
http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/press-media/press-releases
О группе компаний Zahid Group
Группа компаний Zahid Group представляет широкий ряд компаний, предлагающих полный набор услуг, ориентированных на потребности клиента, в различных отраслях, переживающих подъем. В их числе – строительство, горнодобывающая промышленность, нефтегазовая промышленность, сельское хозяйство, энергетика, выработка электроэнергии и водоснабжение, транспортировка материалов, строительные материалы, транспорт и логистика, девелоперская деятельность, путешествия и туризм и гостиничный сектор.
http://www.zahid.com/
КОНТАКТЫ ДЛЯ ПРЕССЫ
Роберт Багатсинг
Altaaqa Global
Тел: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
АДРЕС ДЛЯ ОТЗЫВОВ ЧИТАТЕЛЕЙ
Altaaqa Global
Marketing Department
P.O. Box 262989
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
公司在英国伦敦举办的2014年能源协会颁奖典礼上获得能源卓越奖的殊荣
Altaaqa Global是一家全球性临时电力解决方案供应商。2014年11月13日，能源协会颁奖典礼于伦敦喜来登公园路酒店举行，公司凭借23天之内在也门亚丁安置一个54兆瓦的发电厂而获得了能源卓越奖的殊荣。Altaaqa Global的入围宣言为“重建饱受战乱摧残之国”，同时入围的提名者在业界也都享有盛誉，包括国际石油和天然气生产商协会、英国国防部以及开放能源和聚集产业。
能源卓越奖旨在赞扬能源产业领域的杰出成就，颂扬新思想和具有战略性、创新性的问题解决方案。一家公司或一个项目所取得的成就必须能够给整个产业的各个领域带来深远影响，才有资格赢得该奖项。正如组织方所言，该奖涵盖其它各个类别，代表了能源产业的最高成就。
在问到对该活动的评价时，Altaaqa Global的总经理彼得•丹•布格特如是说：“能得到英国最有威望的能源机构颁发的奖项，我们感到自豪，同时也感到谦卑。Altaaqa Global的员工们为这个项目做出了巨大的努力，直面危险的环境和恶劣的天气状况，这个奖是对他们付出的认可和证明。借此我们也想向也门的当地工程师表达最真挚的感谢，感谢他们和我们并肩作战，共同完成了这项具有历史意义的项目。”
Altaaqa Global的战略客户总监马吉德•扎希将成果归功于也门亚丁的人民：“我们与也门人民共享这份荣誉，包括也门的国家领导，他们在重建国家的同时，将供应急需电力的任务委托给我们。这个项目遭遇了各种各样的挑战，但是也门人民的信仰和希望给了我们力量，支撑我们坚持下去。此外，也门人民积极响应我们的节能和能效运动，如果没有他们的支持，这个项目的意义将大打折扣。”
Altaaqa Global的董事会代表史蒂芬•梅里克指出，该奖将进一步激励公司改善流程，将工程制造的才华推动到极致：“Altaaqa Global不断改进，实现我们设定的雄伟目标，这份来自能源协会的殊荣就是对我们努力的认可。
在今后的每个项目中，我们都将不断挑战自我，在过去创新的基础上更上一层楼。”
Altaaqa Global在也门亚丁安装并完成54兆瓦电厂项目时，正值也门从阿拉伯之春的影响中恢复过来。这个临时发电长的建立仅耗时23天，已实现为50多万人供电。也门政府受到该成功项目的鼓舞，已为现有电厂追加了50兆瓦，由此该发电站的总发电量已达到104兆瓦。
如需了解更多关于颁奖典礼的信息，请访问:http://bit.ly/14tYdd6
完
关于Altaaqa Global
Altaaqa Global是扎西德集团旗下的子公司，被卡特彼勒公司选中，在全球范围内提供多兆瓦级交钥匙临时电力解决方案。公司在客户指定地点建立临时的独立发电厂（IPP），整个工程的调动、安装和操作都由Altaaqa Global完成，建成的发电厂也归Altaaqa Global所有。公司现在重点关注撒哈拉以南的非洲、中亚、印度次大陆、拉丁美洲、东南亚、中东和北非的新兴市场。公司还提供以不同燃料为基础的电力租赁设备，燃料种类包括柴油、天然气或双燃料，还能够提供并迅速部署临时发电厂解决方案，在需要的任何时间和地点提供电力。
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关于扎西德集团
扎西德集团代表了一系列多元化的公司，为多个蓬勃发展的行业提供全面、以客户为中心的解决方案。这些行业包括建筑、矿业、石油和天然气、农业、能源、电力和水力发电、物料运输、建筑材料、交通和物流、房地产开发、旅游观光以及酒店业。
新闻咨询
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
电话：+971 56 1749505
读者请求
Altaaqa Global
Marketing Department
P.O.Box 262989
迪拜，阿联酋
Many residents and businesses that packed their bags and left the Middle East at the height of the crisis are now zipping their luggage for a completely polar reason. As the Middle East rises from the ashes of the recent financial downturn, a great number of companies and ex-residents that fled the region are now clawing to take the next flight in. The Middle Eastern governments, particularly in the GCC countries, have remained tenacious in the face of the downturn and strategically, albeit riskily, continued to disburse notable amounts to fund infrastructure, commercial and residential projects, which were then in danger of being either stalled or cancelled. Now, in light of the nascent regional upturn, these projects (in addition to new ones) are gaining traction, and the companies that used to shy away from them from fear of an unprecedented collapse are now optimistically tendering to win the rights to capitalize on the burgeoning GCC construction industry.
However, the companies and the residents in the GCC will not only have the economic and financial rewards to share among themselves – each of them will also have to take a piece of the region’s energy supply, which may not be as rapidly expanding as the economy or as actively evolving as the industrial processes. A perennial issue in the developing economies, like the Middle East, is the observed discrepancy between the rate of economic and industrial expansion and of investments in power-related infrastructure. Economic activities in emerging markets are increasing at a remarkably fast pace while projects related to power generation or distribution are, most of the time, suffering notable delays.
That the demand for energy outstrips the supply may bring about serious repercussion in the foreseeable future. Most of the countries in the Middle East depend on natural gas – a finite resource – for electricity, and though the present demand may not result in its complete depletion, an occasional spike in energy requirements, like during the summer months or seasons of intense oil & gas or commercial production, may result in supply hiccups which are not to be underestimated.
When the demand overwhelms the supply channels, power outages may occur. Saudi Arabia has reportedly experienced several occurrences of massive power interruptions in recent years, said to be due to the demanding energy requirement during the hottest and peak production months. The emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates has also felt the economic effects of a sustained power interruption, with local industrial companies reporting cumulative losses between AED 70 million and AED 100 million.
To prevent the recurrence of power interruptions, governments in the Middle East are exploring the possibility of tapping other sources of energy to boost their respective countries’ electricity supply. Some countries in the GCC are keenly looking at harnessing the power of the sun to complement their traditional energy sources. Saudi Arabia has announced that it is looking to install 41 GW of solar power by 2032, predicted to yield enough energy to support 20% of its total electricity production. Kuwait is already mapping out plans to at least produce 5% of its electricity from solar means, while the UAE, Jordan and Qatar have also unveiled solar generation targets on the gigawatt scale.
Over the next few years, these objectives will translate into large-scale power-related infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the overall electricity generation capabilities of the aforementioned Middle Eastern countries. There is however, an unaccounted arc that calls for a more heightened attention: What happens, then, between now and the time when these projects are finally fully operational? Will power interruptions continue to persist? Will load shedding be a regular solution so that power plants avert the possibility of a total shutdown? Will companies, factories, oil & gas facilities and mining sites in the Middle East continue to suffer financial loses when the power supply cannot support their operational demands?
A power boost
Interim power generation plants could represent an immediate, viable, sustainable and cost-efficient solution to energy-related problems while the permanent electricity infrastructure is still being planned, evaluated or constructed. Rental power technologies, as the ones provided by Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power, can provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional sources of power when situations call for a boost in power supply, like during the summer months or during the completion of large-scale activities. Gas, diesel or dual-fuel (70% gas and 30% diesel) generators are specifically developed to reduce fuel costs and encourage cost-savings on the part of the end-users.
Interim power station technologies also provide the most flexible power solution to support base load, intermediate, peaking or standby power generation. These solutions are adaptable enough to meet the exact requirements of different industries in the Middle East, such as utility, industrial manufacturing, oil & gas, mining, petrochemical, maritime and aviation to name a few.
Substation-free power plants have also been developed to cater to areas where there may not exist substations. These types of mobile power systems can directly hook up to the grid, thanks to a state-of-the-art packaged protection system.
Making supply meet demand
Rising from the ruins of the recent economic slump, the Middle East is now enjoying a market resurgence. The region has once again caught the attention of foreign and local investors alike, and is currently witnessing rapid growth in infrastructure-, utility- and construction-related activities. The current regional trend, however, is taking its toll on the region’s energy supply, thus the heightened urgency to find alternative sources of electrical power, both for short- and medium-term utilization. Renewable sources are gaining traction and gradual acceptance and application, but for immediate electricity requirements in any occasion, be it natural calamities, power plant shutdowns, grid instability, supply shortages or back-up, rental power systems still represent the foremost choice.
*The foregoing article is based on what was originally published in the October issue of Utilities Middle East magazine, published by ITP.*
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PRESS INQUIRIES
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
India’s energy situation was precarious. Energy experts estimated that about 300 million people in India had no access to electricity, and that the demand for energy in the country was consistently outstripping the supply. Energy authorities feared for the worst as electricity requirement during months of peak consumption was expected to exploit the country’s thin energy capacity.
Recognizing the situation’s need for an urgent resolution, the country has ventured into ambitious renewable energy generation projects that could potentially instill balance and reliability to India’s mix of energy sources. Now, India is said to have the fifth-largest power generation portfolio and is touted to be the fifth largest wind energy producer in the world. Power generation from renewable sources in the country is on the rise. In 2013, the share of renewable power in the country’s total energy mix accounted for 12.3%, up from 7.8% in 2012. Wind power accounts for 68% of the aforementioned percentage, with an installed capacity of 19.1 GW. India has also entered into small hydropower, biomass and solar energy generation.
Drivers for growth of renewable energy generation
India’s economy is now enjoying an upturn, with growth rates predicted to peak at 6% in the coming years. With the expanding economy come the growth in urbanization and the rise in per capita energy consumption. As electricity requirements in the country increases, expenses from importing fossil fuel for power generation proportionally spikes. In this light, government authorities in India deemed to encourage the country’s transition from fossil-based energy options to renewable sources through offering various incentives, such as tax holidays and generation-based incentives (GBIs).
When technologies were gradually rolled out, renewable energy proved to be increasingly cost-competitive compared to fossil-based power. Renewable sources were also considered to be highly scalable and distributed, thus alternative power generation became justifiable in the electrification of remote areas, which may have deficiency in power grid and road infrastructure.
With renewable energy generation becoming an attractive endeavor for foreign and local investors alike, India’s government created a liberal environment for investment in renewable energy projects.
Some challenges ahead
India is now among the world leaders in renewable energy generation. While the process holds much potential, there are some observed challenges that are yet to be resolved by the country.
Experts on the ground reveal that one of the obstacles to the proliferation of renewable energy facilities, particularly that of wind and solar, is the perceived insufficiency in the strict employment of renewable purchase obligations (RPOs), which is said to be limiting the demand for power from renewable energy sources. Constraints in transmission infrastructure is also a salient hindrance, because, owing to this, only a limited amount of generated power reaches the grid. Economic factors, like a weak Indian Rupee and delays in payment, also put pressure on project financing and investor interest, respectively.
Perhaps the most striking disadvantage of utilizing renewable energy sources, say experts, is their unpredictability and apparent instability. As wind or solar power generation facilities depend on nature to run, it may be difficult to forecast its performance, which is of particular importance in critical applications. While highly sophisticated prediction equipment is available, it cannot be 100% reliable, and weather disturbances or aberrations can still happen. In cases when there is not enough natural “fuel” to run renewable generation facilities, the areas to which they supply could suffer from load shedding or rolling blackouts. Additionally, in peak summer months or in the coldest winter months when climate control systems are usually in full blast, renewable energy plants can potentially be overwhelmed by the demand if not enough impetus enters the systems.
The need for an energy “safety net”
For a burgeoning country like India, the solution to sustaining economic growth and energy viability may not be simply ascribed to one single source of power. It has been documented that the country’s existing traditional permanent power infrastructure may encounter some difficulties in supporting India’s power demands in a variety of contexts, hence the effort that the country is exerting to make inroads into renewable energy generation. While the new technologies may hold water, total immersion into the new paradigm may take time, as shown by the range of legislative and economic considerations that still present themselves as impediments to alternative energy growth. Renewable technologies are on their way to progress and advancement, as research and development endeavors are well encouraged by the Indian powers that be. Improvement, however, may not happen overnight, and as it unravels, renewable energy facilities may find merit it taking in support from stable and tested technologies, like rental power systems.
Rental generators may be able to supplement the existing power generated by traditional and renewable sources of energy. They can act as an energy “safety net”, preventing electricity levels from falling beyond what is acceptable and productive. These rental generator sets are equipped with state-of-the-art fast-start systems that allows them to supply the needed power at the shortest possible time, in cases of instability from other sources of electricity.
Interim energy technologies also represents a cost-effective immediate solution to power supply shortages, as they do not require sizable initial capital to be acquired. India, as a country looking to increase its expenditure in renewable sources in years to come, may find benefit in this attribute, as renting power generators would not entail denting a country’s budget or restructuring financial resources allocated to other services.
Because they are modular and flexible, temporary generators can also be installed where renewable energy facilities find most appropriate applications. Rental power systems can be easily delivered from any point on Earth to another and, owing to its easy, plug-and-play configuration, can be started in as short as few days.
With rental power plants on board, the perceived limitations of traditional and renewable energy sources can be overcome, and the power can be bridged until the other sources regain their stability. In this context, temporary power plants find their maximum benefit in being used as supplementary or back-up power while permanent energy facilities are being constructed or refurbished, or when alternative energy sources are being advanced and improved.
The key to power is balance
Having a balanced energy mix may be the key to a sustained economic, political and social stability. As countries like India enjoy an economic upturn, growth industries, such as manufacturing, utilities and oil & gas, should be expected to consume large sums of energy. With limited resources, it may be difficult for a country to rein in energy consumption at the expense of economic opportunities. What developing countries need are support systems – like what rental power plants are for energy sustainability. As India maps its road to energy stability, temporary electricity generation facilities are available to support the country’s existing infrastructure to produce continuous and reliable electricity needed to power the country’s future.
*The foregoing article is based on what was originally published in the September 2014 issue of EPC&I magazine, Northern Lights Communications, India.*
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PRESS INQUIRIES
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
One of the great thinkers in the modern history of the world, Abraham Lincoln, once said that the best way to predict the future was to create it. Change is inevitable, and we, humans, are constantly faced with the options of either effecting the change ourselves or being subject to the result of some other factor’s change.
Lincoln’s world-famous quote asserts that we have a say in what the future will hold for us, and that proactivity, as opposed to reactivity, will offer us our desired results.
This citation holds true till this very day, and still finds application in almost all facets of life. Each and every day, we, our relatives, our companies and even our governments are confronted with the compulsion to make decisions, selecting one or the other, to move forward. Oftentimes, the decision of the greater elements of the society sets off a domino effect, trickling the repercussion down to the nucleus. There may also be instances when the effects of the choices of the citizens escalate to the powers that be. In most cases, the relationship between the components of a society may not linear – there may be a constant push-and-pull or imposition-and-retaliation, or, at best, demand-and-submission.
Let us contextualize the foregoing discussion and throw the spotlight on the present energy situation in the Middle East. Let us examine the scenario through the prism of “choices”, and study how a marginal shift in behavior, say, leads to encompassing and durative effects.
Power at home
It may be hard to argue that it is the choice of the residents of the Middle East to raise the temperatures during summer to as high as 50°C, or more, at times. We may also consider that putting on air conditioners is a foregone conclusion, otherwise the living conditions will be utterly unbearable. We may say, however, that they have a choice in which AC unit to buy, or in considering the lifecycle cost of an electric product instead of its first cost. We could also be excused in saying that they also have a choice in how to take advantage of the power subsidy that they get from their governments, and on ascertaining how much electricity is essentially needed in their daily lives.
Studies cite that Saudis, for example, use nine times more electricity than the citizens of the four largest Arab countries. An individual in Saudi Arabia consumes around 8,200 kilowatt in an hour compared to an average 951 kilowatt an hour by an individual from Egypt, Algeria, or Morocco. Moreover, energy consumption per individual in Saudi Arabia was observed to have risen by three per cent in 2011 and by nine per cent in 2012. In the entire energy mix, the housing sector was estimated to be responsible for consuming 50% of the country’s total energy production.
To which, however, can one attribute this dizzying energy consumption average? Though not absolute, energy industry experts ascribe a large part the high electricity consumption to the poor energy efficiency of AC systems that the citizens of the region ultimately bring home. HVAC systems consume approximately 51% of all electricity production in the region, and this can reach up to 70% during the summer months. A considerable number of AC systems on offer are observed to have low energy efficiency ratios (EERs) despite the presence and promotion of energy efficiency standards in Middle Eastern countries. In most cases, air conditioners with low EERs are the cheapest, attracting buyers to give premium to the price they see on the tag than to the number of stars rating the performance of the unit.
What most users are not aware of is that, though units with higher EER are more expensive, they run more efficiently, reducing monthly power consumption, thus reflecting as less billed electricity. More technologically advanced units also operate longer without the need for repair or servicing, thereby cutting on maintenance costs.
Power in the country
To support the region’s daily electricity consumption, countries use an estimated millions of barrels of oil a day – notably one of the highest in the world.
Industry experts observe that the upward trend in the regional power demand is owing to the fact that most of the Middle Eastern countries’ development is based on energy-intensive industries, like construction, manufacturing, water desalination and oil & gas. The region’s economic conditions are also highly attractive to expatriates and foreign businesses, which causes the Middle East’s population to spike. Due to the region’s unique climate, residents in the Middle East live energy-intensive lifestyles in their homes, offices and means of transportation.
The energy situation in the region is predicted to take more challenging turns. In Saudi Arabia, for example, authorities are predicting that by the year 2020, the demand for electricity in the Kingdom would have increased by 30,000 MW. The World Energy Council supports this forecast and adds that the power consumption in the Middle East and North Africa can rise by as much as 80%-114% till 2050.
With over 50% of the world’s proven oil reserves and approximately 40% of the world’s gas, the foremost choice for the Middle East will be to rely on fossil fuels for decades to come. The challenge, however, is that fossil fuels are finite resources, and some countries in the region are already feeling the pressure of the current demand on power generation.
Just recently, industry experts in Iraq have reported that the country’s ability to generate electricity was being hampered by a shortage of gas supply to its power plants. Owing to this predicament, Iraq’s electricity supply is deficient by at least 3,000 MW, and major power plants, such as Nainawa, Al Mansurya and Rumaila remain idle. Experts say that the peak power demand in the country hits 16,000 MW compared to only 12,000 MW of available electricity.
According to industry studies, there may be real dangers looming in light of the observed depletion of the Middle East’s fossil fuel reserves, largely due to the continuous growth of the regional power demand. First, when the dedicated fossil fuel resource could no longer support the electricity requirement, power supply may become unstable and interruptions may ensure, resulting in myriad negative impacts to the region’s economy, business and people. A power interruption affecting critical facilities, like hospitals, airports, telecommunication towers, data centers and oil & gas installations, has the potential to put an entire country or region to a standstill, and in light of regional integration among Middle Eastern countries, consequences are sure to spill over national borders.
Second, market projections suggest that the persistence of the current energy requirement patterns in the region may render Middle Eastern countries vulnerable to economic and social instability. Let us take Saudi Arabia as an example: The unrestrained domestic fuel consumption in the Kingdom may hamper its ability to export oil within a decade, and considering that over 80% of the country’s government spending is dependent on oil, a downtrend in the Kingdom’s oil export activities may affect its capacity to provide for its residents’ needs in the future. On the other hand, a limited supply to other countries could lead to soaring prices of oil and other petroleum products, which will consequently distress all the industries that depend on it for production and operation.
With predicaments such as these, what choices are there to make?
At present, the governments of the Middle East have initiated tapping alternative sources of energy, like the sun, but designing, constructing, commissioning, testing and employing these technologies may take time and millions, if not billions, of Dollars in initial investment. Authorities have also launched conformity assessment schemes and energy efficiency & conservation programs aimed at modifying the attitude and the behavior of end-users towards energy consumption. Shifting the existing paradigm, however, may take decades, if not generations, and without curbing the present energy requirement, the region’s existing power resources may not be able to sustain it until the foreseeable future.
Empowered choice
While the long-term solutions are underway, countries in the Middle East may take a proactive approach in dealing with the region’s energy situation by hiring the services of rental power companies.
Hiring temporary power generation plants to bridge the demand and the supply of electricity yields many advantages, particularly when there is a foreseeable delay in the completion of permanent electricity facilities or when a considerable amount of power is immediately needed. Interim power generators are essential, particularly in times when the electrical grid is unstable or when power distribution networks are unavailable. The technology is also vital in mitigating the effects of planned or unplanned facility shut down or of load shedding.
Temporary power plants also have tested and recognized benefits in times of emergency, natural calamities & weather disturbance or intense seasonal demand. Disasters, unanticipated weather shifts and peak power requirements put unpredicted pressure on the region’s energy reserves, and addressing these ad hoc cases could mean taking power resources already allocated for other functions. Utilizing interim power generators in times like these not only instantaneously resolves the deficiency in supply but also precludes untoward and long-term effects that reorganization of energy resources may have to a wide array of industries.
Interim power generation facilities are sustainable, efficient and cost-effective solutions to a gamut of energy-related challenges. They respond to the questions of immediacy, viability and affordability. They are highly practical especially for short- and medium-term hire, as building permanent facilities for provisional usage may not be the most economical and workable choice. Temporary power plants offer utmost flexibility, scalability and modularity to fit in any situation, for any requirement, and to every budget.
The future is what you make it
Fossil fuels are non-renewable and the Middle East’s reserves are observed to be gradually diminishing. Alternative sources of energy, like the sun, may be abundant, but projects that could launch them at the forefront of power generation will take decades and a huge amount of country’s resources. Governments and utility companies in the Middle East are now offered an alternative choice to respond to the region’s power challenges aside from venturing into multi-billion Dollar energy facilities or pushing for a shift in existing consumption standards. They now have an option to hire interim power plants to bridge the power gap where needed and when needed. Now, the onus is upon us to make good use of the resources on offer and take the choices that would lead us to a future that we have envisioned for us, for our children and our children’s children.
*The foregoing article is based on an article originally published in Issue 4 2014 of Technical Review Middle East, published by Alain Charles Publishers.*
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Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
Africa is intensively pushing to build and grow its economy on the back of increased domestic demand, aggressive infrastructure construction activities and economic interconnection among countries in the continent. In fact, in a recent annual meeting in Rwanda, the African Development Bank (AfDB), presenting its African Economic Outlook 2014, reported that the continent’s economy was expected to grow by 4.8% in 2014 and 5.7% in 2015, approximating its growth figures pre-economic downturn.
The ongoing economic efforts in the continent will, naturally, have to be supported by energy. Gone are the days of organic economies, where economic growth could be achieved through mere human and animal strength. In this day and age, almost all economies rely on power to sustain their activities and produce tangible results. Power has become an integral component of any economy or society that outages and blackouts could bring about devastating consequences.
Africa’s power scenario
To support Africa’s ambition to achieve economic sustainability, diversity and viability, it will primarily need to boost its infrastructure to support the growth of its various industries. To achieve that, the continent will require massive amounts of power. Does it, however, have enough energy to sustain this power-intensive phase?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sounded a warning that an escalating power supply deficiency in Africa may hamper the projected economic growth. It has been documented that some 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were facing an energy crisis, evidenced by rolling blackouts, and that some 30 countries in region had suffered acute energy crises in recent years. While the Key World Energy Statistics by the International Energy Agency reported that electricity generation in Africa rose from 1.8% in 1973 to 3.1% in 2011, the continent still remained to have the smallest share globally, despite being the second most populous continent.
With Africa’s population expected to double to approximately 1.9 billion people by 2050, and with the continent’s industries projected to require power at almost full capacity, the World Bank said that a much higher investment would be needed to at least double Africa’s current levels of energy access by 2030. In fact, it is estimated that the Sub-Saharan region would require more than USD 300 billion in investments to achieve total electrification by 2030.
The power instability: The bigger picture
Sub-Saharan Africa was observed to have absorbed much of the blow of the recent power crisis. Blackout brought cities to a standstill and spelt terminal financial losses to small- and medium-scale companies. Mining, one of the region’s pillar industries, was severely affected, even prompting mining companies to shelve expansion plans and curtail local power usage.
Nigeria, for instance, a country that has three times the population of the Republic of South Africa (South Africa), only has one-tenth of the power generation capacity of the latter, and business in the country are reportedly starting the feel the effects of power interruptions in their daily turnover.
In Tanzania, a blackout that lasted for almost a month was experienced in Zanzibar when the underwater cable lines supplying power to the archipelago failed, owing to a huge surge in demand. As a result, residents needed to shell out USD 10 daily to run diesel-powered domestic generators, while businesses requiring refrigeration or heating had to suspend operations until power was restored.
In Angola, the occasional recession of the water level in some of the rivers affects power production, distressing allied services, like water distribution. Luanda’s water supply firm, EPAL, cited that various areas in the city experienced water supply shortage, owing to challenges related to power distribution.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), touted to be Africa’s biggest copper producer, in May 2014 advised mining companies in the country to suspend any project expansion that would require more power, amidst a power shortage that, the government said, would take years to resolve.
Even the Republic of South Africa, the region’s largest economy, was not exempt from power-related woes. In a communiqué in June 2014, Eskom, supplier of 95% of the country’s electricity, warned residents of a rolling blackout due to load-shedding, which, it said, was necessary to protect the electricity grid from total blackout. Eskom said it had begun scaling down maintenance to prepare for winter, but in the face of a rising energy demand, particularly during peak hours, it appealed to the public to reduce power consumption by at least 10%. If the power demand does not decline, then, the company said, load shedding would be the last resort to avoid a total power shutdown.
At present, solutions are underway – but these, naturally, will not come without a hefty price and cannot be completed within days or weeks. Economic reports indicated that, at the prevailing growth rate of the demand from industries and residents, the region would have to double its power generating capacity by 2025, at an approximate cost of USD 171 billion in South Africa alone.
In order to sustain this projection, the governments in Africa have identified potential sources of funds, such as power rate hikes and foreign investment. Yet, power hikes could stir social unrest and could prompt industrial entities to cut down on operations, putting jobs and production at risk. Foreign investment agreements, on the other hand, could take time to materialize, and the planning, designing, installation and commissioning of permanent power generation projects may entail several years, if not decades.
How temporary power plants can help
Power is indeed a fundamental element for any economy to function, as every sector of the modern society, be it domestic, commercial or industrial, is, in a way or another, dependent on electricity. Nowadays, a power interruption affecting critical facilities, like hospitals, airports, telecommunications towers, data centers, mining facilities and oil & gas installations, has the potential to put an entire country, region or city to a standstill, and in light of globalization and economic integration, the consequences could spill over regional, national or even continental borders.
Hiring interim power plants to bridge the gap between the demand and the supply of electricity yields many advantages, particularly when there is a foreseeable delay in the construction of permanent power generation facilities or while waiting for the permanent power plants to be completed.
When time is of essence, rental power companies, like Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power, are capable of providing solutions as needed, when needed. Utility companies in the region, like Eskom in South Africa, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, Tanzania Electric Supply Company, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the Concelho Nacional de Electricidade in Mozambique, the Empresa Nacional de Electricidade in Angola and the Société nationale d’électricité in DRC, among others, can hire temporary power plants in times when the demand outpaces the supply, when the electrical grid becomes unstable due to a spike in electricity requirement or when power distribution networks are unavailable, like in the rural areas. This will allow them to bridge the supply deficit immediately. Hiring power generators can prove to be a viable solution to power supply inefficiency, bridging the power gap while the permanent power solution is still in progress.
With an immediate solution on hand, the governments and the utility companies can avert resorting to raising the prices of electricity or curtailing the supply of power during peak hours. On a greater scope, an instantaneous resolution of Africa’s escalating energy supply challenges will preclude social and political instability and massive financial losses to businesses and individuals.
The power to go further
The continent that was once regarded as a tail-ender in terms of development, is now making an aggressive move towards economic stability and viability. To sustain the economic growth that Africa is now enjoying, it is imperative that the governments in the continent address the critical issue of chronic power shortage, which could hamper the development of various industries in the countries. The effort that the African governments are putting to address this predicament is commendable, but there exist other entities that can help them to further alleviate the situation. Rental power companies propose solutions that address the issues of urgency, cost-efficiency, reliability, energy-efficiency and environmental safety. It is advisable that utility companies provide for a contingent power solution in cases of power interruption that may lead to operational delays and, ultimately, negative social, political, economic and financial consequences.
The foregoing article was originally published in the October 2014 issue of IMIESA, published by 3S Media, South Africa.
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Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
Kenya has had a taste of the consequences of high costs of electricity and erratic electric power generation. Droughts experienced in recent years had driven water heights in major dams to precarious levels, that power industry authorities were left with no other conceivable choice but to rely on imported fuel to produce electricity. High cost of available fuel in the international market drove electricity prices up – a burden that would have to be passed on to industrial and private consumers that were fortunate enough to be connected to power lines.
While rising energy prices were the bane of these end-users, approximately 90% of Kenya’s rural population and an estimated 45% of the country’s urban residents were yet to gain access to electricity, while a projected 60% of Kenya’s total population still used biomass as a source of energy for cooking.
The energy situation in Kenya was far from being stable, to say the least.
Kenya’s renewable energy potential
The country’s energy situation represented a daunting affair for any government to try to overturn. But somehow, something has to be started somewhere, so Kenyan authorities trained their gaze on renewable energy sources for solutions. Today, Kenya’s renewable energy sector is touted to be one of the most active in Africa, with investments in wind, geothermal, small-scale hydro and biomass rising from virtually zero in 2009 to approximately USD 1.3 billion in recent years. Kenya is considered to be the largest producer of geothermal power in Africa and is known as a world leader in the number of solar power systems installed per capita.
Kenya’s renewable energy sources hold enormous potential. For instance, experts from the African Energy Policy Research Network 2004 observe that, at an average, Kenya receives an estimated four to six kWh per square meter per day of solar insolation, which is equivalent to about 300 million tons of oil. The study adds that most areas in the country can enjoy the benefits of solar energy, because they receive more than six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Moreover, according to scientific studies, Kenya has one of the best wind resources in the world, averaging between three and 10 m/s, with northern Kenya even hitting record speeds of up 11 m/s. Experts suggest that wind energy facilities can be strategically installed along the coast and in areas where agricultural production is counter-intuitive, like in the Northeastern Province. The Lake Turkana Wind Project currently underway is poised to provide 300 MW of wind power to Kenya’s national grid.
While the country has already been thriving in geothermal energy production, experts say that only two per cent of the country’s geothermal potential has been tapped, adding that the total estimated potential for geothermal power capacity in Kenya is in the area of 7,000 to 10,000 MW. Currently, the Geothermal Development Company has laid out plans to drill 1,400 steam wells to provide steam for up to 5,000 MW of geothermal power capacity by 2030.
It is not just power; it is empowerment
Beyond providing large-scale additional power to Kenya’s national energy generation capacity, renewable energy solutions hold a significance much closer to home. Owing to their flexibility and scalability, renewable energy sources could be locally installed in rural and urban communities, and in industrial facilities, encouraging power decentralization and source diversification. Experts opine that this fact can potentially be a workable solution to over-dependence on hydro and thermal power, which could at times be unreliable or expensive. Decentralized and localized renewable energy projects will find merits in terms of mitigating the risks of climate change and environmental degradation, as well as of the rising prices of fuel in the world market. Giving local communities and industrial players the opportunity to “create” their own power will additionally pave the way to fully capitalizing on the renewable energy potential of Kenya and to unraveling further economic growth.
While localized renewable energy projects in Kenyan rural and urban communities and in industrial facilities are still in the nascent stages, there are technologies available that are able to sustain their progress and advancement. Mobile power technologies are designed and engineered to support power generation when permanent or renewable sources meet challenges in sustaining the electricity demand. As national frameworks are created to promote renewable energy investments at the community levels, temporary power stations can provide the power supply that installed renewable facilities are still not able to produce. As wind or solar power plants depend on unpredictable natural elements for “fuel”, interim generators will be able to supplement the generated power in cases when wind or solar supply is insufficient.
As Kenya improves its hydropower and thermal energy generation capacities, veering away from over-reliance on fossil-based power, mobile electric power stations will be able to support existing permanent power infrastructure in times when the national electric power requirement outstrips the supply. Owing to the fact that rental gensets do not require steep initial investment to procure, the Kenyan government will be able to preserve the budgetary allotment aimed at the construction of renewable energy facilities at the grass-root levels.
Empowering local communities
National economic growth may never be sustainable if a significant percentage of a country’s population and industries has yet to be empowered. Today, with the advancement in research and technology, local electrification and community empowerment is within reach. Renewable technologies are maturing, and are now proving to be viable and sustainable sources of energy. As communities and industrial facilities enjoying the benefits of electric power grow in number, the road map ahead of a country’s economy becomes increasingly clear.
Empowerment, however, does not simply mean being connected to the grid. Encapsulated within the very essence of the word is giving rural and urban communities alike the opportunity to care for their environment, to plot their own future and to traverse their own paths to economic and social advancement.
The foregoing article was originally published in the September-October 2014 issue of Kenya Engineer, published by Intercontinental Publishers, Kenya.
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Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com
Altaaqa Global 