Monday, December 14, 2015

Global Warming Worsens Power Crisis in Africa

Africa is home to nearly a billion people – over a sixth of the world’s population – but the region only generates four per cent of the world’s electricity. Of that, three-quarters is utilized by South Africa, Egypt and a handful of other North African nations, with only 30% of the population of the continent with access to power.


Though most of the continent have constantly been facing challenges related to electricity, it is the hydropower-dependent countries that are presently being extremely burdened by power shortages. Spurred by erratic rainfall patterns and an increased frequency of droughts, these hydropower-dependent countries have seen an exceptional, drastic fall in the water level in major dams, forcing their governments to introduce a load shedding schedule that involves up to 18 hours of power interruption. The reduced level of water in the dams have provoked relevant authorities to advise power utilities to reduce generating capacity.

“The unprecedented energy crisis,” said one of the leaders of the countries, echoing the opinion of the other leaders of hydropower-dependent nations, “has already cost our countries dearly in terms of productivity, jobs and revenue.” He said that the power crisis had exacerbated the challenges that developing countries were still grappling with, including poverty, high unemployment, limited access to education, slow industrial development, inadequate infrastructure, poor quality health services and low industrial productivity. “The current energy crisis we are facing has a clear strong connection to global warming,” he said, “and as such, new strategies to alleviate the situation has to be proposed to address the effects of climate change.”

Diversifying energy sources
The leader said that a sound strategy to combat the current power crisis was to diversify energy sources to reduce dependency on hydroelectric stations. “Our country”, he said, “is blessed with abundant sunshine, which can be harnessed to increase energy supply to consumers. Adopting solar energy technologies, and to some extent wind, could reduce the pressure of demand for electricity on the national grid and over-dependence on hydro and thermal power.”


The aggressive drive of Africa’s hydropower-dependent countries towards diversifying their energy sources is laudable, especially because it does not only seek to resolve the power supply challenge, but also combat global warming and climate change. Moving away from the traditional sources of energy, like hydro and fossil fuels, and venturing into renewables, like solar or wind power, will not only encourage an increase in power generating capacity, but also a more sustainable use of conventional primary energy sources.

Shifting to renewable energy sources
A reservation, however, is that transitioning from conventional power sources, like hydro and fossil fuel, to alternative sources, like solar and wind, may not be immediately possible, as it may require the buy-in of several entities, including several branches of government, financial institutions, investors and industry stakeholders. With the procedures involved in obtaining approvals for such an initiative, the process of fully shifting to alternative sources of power may take years, or even decades, to complete.

Another concern is the observed insufficient reliability and predictability of renewable sources of power, like solar and wind. Industry experts claim that, though holding tremendous potential, solar and wind power still have room for improvement and optimization before they can assume the role of absolute primary sources of energy.


Urgent power supply support
The hydropower-dependent countries suffering from power shortage urgently need a reliable alternative source of energy now – not in a few years, not in a decade. In times of drought and low-rain seasons, load shedding and regular electricity outage, governments, utilities and large industrial operations in hydropower-dependent countries will find an immediate effective power solution in hiring the services of temporary electricity providers. Reliable electricity is essential in powering a country’s economic and social development, and renting large-scale power plants while the process of effectively integrating renewable energy sources into the energy mix is underway can guarantee a constant supply of power even to expansive regions, provinces and cities without the need to spend scarce CAPEX. Rented power plants offer economy and flexibility, because governments, utilities and allied stakeholders can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants as the generators run, and they can choose to add power modules to the rental power plants as their requirements increase.

Rental power plants are not only reliable and fuel efficient, they also have less impact to the environment, supporting the government’s drive to combat climate change. Modern rental generators boast of cleaner operations, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or a blend of gas and diesel. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that temporary power stations, like those running on natural gas, can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment.


Final Word
The prolonged low-rain season and drought in hydropower-dependent countries, which resulted in alarming low water level in major dams, are indubitably related to global warming and climate change. The stand of hydropower-dependent countries to diversify energy sources and reduce their dependence on conventional sources of power has its merits, especially when coupled with initiatives geared towards energy conservation and efficient use of electricity. While the process of shifting to renewable energy sources is moving forward, governments, utilities and allied stakeholders can find an immediate solution to their countries' power woes in hiring rental power providers. Ultimately, however, the solution to the power supply challenges and climate change will depend on the principled actions of the countries’ leadership and people.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Load Shedding ‘Forces’ Pregnant Patients to Leave

Modern hospitals require a continuous supply of reliable electricity to best cater to the needs of their patients. Hospital equipment, like respirators, health monitors, ultrasound scanners, and laboratory machines, necessitates electricity to function as effectively and efficiently as desired. Intensive care units, gynaecology sections, operating theatres, recovery rooms, neo-natal sections, and offices & clinics need power to keep patients stable and comfortable, and doctors and medical staff productive. Even a momentary power outage can have serious effects on the health of the patients and the operations of the hospital at large.


A city in one of the emerging countries in Asia has been suffering from a power supply shortage that has placed its healthcare facilities, especially the ones operated by the local government, in dire straits. Owing to the lack of electricity, and the consequent constant load shedding and blackouts, gynaecology departments in certain public hospitals have been forced to refuse new pregnant patients and discharge existing ones, advising them to instead seek medical help from private hospitals which may have electricity to support their specialized medical needs. Sunil, whose pregnant wife was admitted in one of the public hospitals, rued, “We came to this government hospital to avail of affordable medical care, but there has been no electricity the entire day.” He added that due to the absence of appropriate care and the discomfort brought about by heat and humidity, his wife’s condition had fast deteriorated. “Now,” he said, “because there is uncertainty when the power will be restored, we don’t have any choice but to transfer to a private hospital and hope that they have local generators that function. We will surely pay a higher price, but that’s another challenge altogether.”

Commenting on the situation, the Chief Medical Officer of the said hospital, explained, “We have a local generator for emergency. Unfortunately, it is not functional as of the moment as there were some technical glitches. We will have it fixed and try our best to have the power supply restored.” When asked when power can be restored, he vaguely said, “When the generator is fixed, then the power will be restored.”


In times of power supply insufficiency, load shedding and regular electricity outage, governments, utilities and stakeholders in the healthcare sector will find an immediate effective power solution in hiring the services of temporary electricity providers. Reliable electricity is needed to power hospitals and healthcare facilities, and renting large-scale power plants can guarantee a constant supply of power even to expansive facilities without the need to spend scarce CAPEX. Rented power plants offer economy and flexibility, because governments, utilities and allied stakeholders can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants as the generators run, and they can choose to add power modules to the rental power plants as their requirements increase.

Rental power plants are not only reliable and fuel efficient, they also have less impact to the environment. Modern rental generators boast of cleaner operations, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or a blend of gas and diesel. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that temporary power stations, like those running on natural gas, can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment.

Electricity powers hospitals and healthcare facilities so that they offer the full extent of medical services required by patients. A power interruption, regardless of its duration, can negatively impact the health of patients and the operations and facilities of hospitals. While waiting for the completion of permanent solutions to electricity supply problems, renting large-scale power plants can bridge the gap in power anytime and anywhere in the world.

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Monday, November 9, 2015

Will Blackouts Dim the Future of the Next Generation?

Worsening electricity shortages across many of the world’s developing countries are choking off progress in the education sector


Ayana, an engineering student from a town in Africa, would like to be a power plant engineer, having been through the horrors of persistent blackouts and load shedding. 

“I’d like to be an electrical engineer, because I would love to solve the power supply problems of my town, or maybe my country,” she said. She entered the technical university with high hopes: Months before classes started, her school had been outfitted with new computers, engineering laboratory equipment and electrical machines, and had been connected to the grid with the help of a rural electrification agency. “Our classes were productive, because we were working on our computers, spending fruitful hours in the lab and actually performing experiments,” she said, recounting her experiences prior to the prolonged rain-less season that has shrouded her country.

“Now,” she continued, “we are fast growing frustrated with what we are doing in school.” Owing to the lack of electricity due to shortage in hydropower, Ayana’s class regularly skips experiments, causing her and her classmates’ marks to flop. “We are like learning from our imagination. How could we master practical and technical subjects on paper? But, what can we do? Our machines and lab equipment just won’t work without power.”

Imamu has just earned his degree in Education from an African university. He wanted to teach young children, so he can take part in the formation of their values and learning. But, regularly disrupted classes and the lack of power and water in schools have gradually caused a change of heart. 

“I would have loved to teach children here in my country, but I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place”, he said, adding that the pressing electricity problems were driving him away. “Because power only returns in the evening, I have to begin my classes at night. But, it’s not possible. It is not safe, and I have to be with my family.” He said that if the dire power situation continues, he might eventually be left with no choice but to move to neighboring countries where wages for teachers and working conditions in schools are better.

Electricity has gradually become a scarce commodity in many emerging countries, largely owing to shortage in hydropower and unstable power infrastructure. With the effects of blackouts and load shedding growing more pronounced in the education sector, industry experts and stakeholders fear for the next generation.

“Schools are hit hard by this ongoing energy supply situation,” said a member of an Educators Union. “Many developing countries are burdened with unemployment, and for some, the key to have better chances of finding a suitable job is obtain qualifications in science, engineering and business. But, while quality science, engineering and business education received a notable boost some few years ago, these days, it may have hit a formidable roadblock in blackouts.”

Solving the educational conundrum cannot wait for years nor decades. To keep up with the rapid evolution of knowledge and of the world itself, students and educators alike have to be abreast of the developments with the help of computers, mobile devices and other modern electronic equipment.

In times of persistent load shedding and regular blackouts, governments, utilities and stakeholders in the education sector will find an immediate power solution in hiring the services of temporary electricity providers. Reliable electricity is needed to power computers, run science and engineering laboratories and keep the school environment conducive to learning. Renting large-scale power plants can guarantee a constant supply of power to educational facilities without the need to spend scarce CAPEX in building permanent power stations. Governments, utilities and other stakeholders will appreciate the fact that they can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants as the generators run, and that they can choose to add power modules to the rental power plants as their requirements increase.

Rental power plants are not only reliable, they also have less impact to the environment. Modern rental generators boast of cleaner operations, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or a blend of gas and diesel. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that temporary power stations, like those running on natural gas, can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment.

“I feel sad even considering moving to another country to teach other children,” said Imamu. “I feel that as a citizen of my country, I have a role to play in its progress and in the development of its children and people. I still want to stay here. I hope the situation will be better in the coming weeks…”

“I am excited to actually use the computers and the lab equipment we have in school,” said Ayana. “I still believe that when I finish school, I will be a productive electrical engineer. I don’t only dream for my personal success; I envision my town emerging from poverty with reliable electricity.”

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Drones to Replace Manual Work in Power Plant Inspections?

With their temperatures surging up to a thousand degrees Celsius, power plants need to be regularly and closely monitored for eventual wear and tear. US researchers claim drones can do it precisely, efficiently, quickly and safely...


Thoroughly inspecting power plants usually involve the dangerous tasks of climbing scaffolds and entering dark areas with temperatures-comparable-to-an-oven over at least a month. That practice may soon be a thing of the past.

Researchers at the University of Georgia in the USA have developed a sonar navigation system for drones that aims to improve the safety and efficiency of power plant inspections.

Looking to bats?

The objective of the team was to develop a navigation system that would eventually allow drones to replace manual work in power plant inspections. It, however, was not that easy.

The team had to face the challenge of developing a technology that could provide a reliable and precise signal despite the harsh environment of the generators. In the process of evolving the technology, the team found out that electromagnetic and material interference makes GPS and some navigation techniques difficult to use. The solution? The team looked to bats.

“It’s based on how bats navigate in a cave,” succinctly explained one of the researchers. The team developed a drone with a 360-degree rotatable scanner that sends ultrasound beams to the walls that could reflect pulse signals back to the sensor. This allows the team to accurately map the interiors of the steam rooms.

Replacing manual inspections with drones?

The team claims that with the use of the drone that they developed, inspections can be done within a day, instead of weeks or months. They added that since generators need not shut down during the “drone inspections”, the technology could increase power plant efficiency and save money.

Epilogue: Safety... everyone, everyday

Inspecting power plants, with the harsh environment inside the equipment and the dangerous procedures involved in the process, could pose serious risks to engineers and inspection professionals. In this light, all entities involved in the inspection of power stations should adopt an occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy to prevent injury and ill health to their workforce. All managers and supervisors should be responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained in approved work procedure and that they follow safe work methods and related regulations.

All stakeholders should be required to support the OH&S program of their companies, and health and safety should be a part of the daily routine of all staff members. 

OH&S is at the core of Altaaqa Global’s culture. To learn more: http://goo.gl/UxJgzb

To know more about the story: http://goo.gl/W0SL3g

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Sunday, October 18, 2015

Benefits of Using Natural Gas Generators in Standby Applications

For critical facilities, like hospitals, data centers, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and oil & gas-related sites, a constant supply of power is indispensable. Standby rental power plants guarantee the continuous supply of reliable electricity in the event of power failure. Standby temporary power systems fundamentally have limited hours of operation, because they are only activated when the power is cut from the primary electricity source. Therefore, the more hours the standby power station operates, the more important the fuel choice becomes.


Among the rental power technologies available, diesel generators still remain the most popular for standby applications, largely due to economy, wide availability of fuel, fuel safety, ease of installation and typically better transient (load acceptance) capabilities. However, it is notable that generators running on natural gas are progressively gaining ground as a standby power solution, largely owing to ease of maintenance and environmental stewardship. The market expansion of such technology is spurred by the availability of inexpensive locally extracted natural gas, strict emission regulations in many countries around the world, and an increasing number of longer-term temporary power requirements.

One of the most salient advantages of using natural gas in standby application is the availability of a reliable fuel supply. Natural gas lines produce a round-the-clock supply that runs underground, which means that they are generally protected from natural disasters, like storms, floods and hurricanes. In addition, this set-up also eliminates the need for fuel storage tanks, which in turn will require refueling, regulation and maintenance.


Natural gas rental power plants also see reduced expenditure related to manpower, fuel storage and fuel treatment. A standby power station usually operates between 50 and 100 hours per year, at most 500. Calculating using the prevailing fuel price, Caterpillar declares that a standby power station running on natural gas operated for only 50 hours per year can save more than USD 15,000 per year in fuel costs. Therefore, utilizing natural gas-powered standby power plants during an extended outage can considerably reduce operating costs.

Another benefit to opting for natural gas standby power plants is reduced exhaust emissions. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that natural gas temporary power stations can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment. Running on a lean mixture of fuel and air, lean-burn natural gas gensets release up to five times less NOx and virtually zero particulate matter.

Natural gas gensets are also used as emergency, continuous or peaking power. Do you want to learn more about large-scale natural gas generator sets and their wide range of applications? Visit our website at www.altaaqaglobal.com.

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Monday, October 12, 2015

Encouraging Outlook for the Middle East Rental Power Market

The rental power market in the Middle East has remained buoyant, and is predicted to go on expanding in years to come. Buoyed by the development of new rental power technologies, interim power stations will continue to find application in a variety of sectors, including utility markets, extractive industries like mining and oil & gas, large process industries and major infrastructure construction projects.


Among the rental power technologies available, diesel generators will continue to dominate the market, largely due to the wide availability of fuel, fuel safety & economy and ease of installment. However, it is helpful to note that generators running on other fuels, such as natural gas and dual-fuel (a combination of diesel and gas), are progressively gaining ground. The market expansion of such technologies is spurred by the increasing availability of inexpensive locally extracted natural gas and the strict emission regulations in many countries around the world.


There have been observed limitations on the growth of the natural gas generator market, including fuel availability, and the prohibitive cost of installing safe and reliable fuel delivery infrastructure. Today, these are gradually being mitigated by the availability of cost-effective natural gas resources, and the application of natural gas technologies in bigger and longer-duration projects. In addition, dual-fuel generators simplifies the transition from diesel-run to gas-run generators.


There is also a growing trend towards the use of renewables in the region, particularly solar. As technology here develops, it is inevitable that they will play an increasingly important role in the future energy mix, and in the development of hybrid solutions with diesel or natural gas generators.

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Rental Power Plants Mitigate the Effects of Power Cuts on Manufacturing Facilities

Several hydropower-dependent countries around the world are currently experiencing the disruptive effects of prolonged droughts and low-rain season, not helped by the El Niño weather phenomenon being felt by most such areas. Power utilities in these countries have rolled out load shedding schemes in an effort to distribute the limited available power. Despite such initiatives, the power supply in these areas still remains scarce that residents, businesses and industrial facilities have been enduring power cuts that last for as much as 24 hours…


The power crisis in these hydropower dependent countries has adversely affected small-, medium- and large-scale manufacturing enterprises, which typically account for the majority of employment in such areas. In addition to lamenting about the debilitating consequences of power interruptions on operations, business operators have been complaining about employee productivity, saying that the usual 8 AM to 5 PM shift of their employees has been rendered academic, because workers spend most of their time doing no work due to power cuts. “In most cases,” commented a facility manager, “power is restored at the end of the day. Since we cannot predict when the power will go out, it has become difficult to plan the shifts, because no one knows the time when the power will be available.”

As a result of the prevailing constant load shedding, manufacturing industry players predict that a considerable number of companies will close down or cut back on expansion projects that would have created viable job opportunities. “We have not evaluated the damage of the power shortage,” said an industry player, “but we have seen that the power cuts have not spared even the large industrial areas.” The lack of assurance in the electricity supply, he continued, would force more companies to lay off workers due to their inability to sustain overhead costs amidst the little or absent production. “Because of the power supply insufficiency,” he added, “manufacturing companies will incur higher production costs due to start-stop production. They will also suffer substantial losses and increased fixed costs per unit due to lower volumes.”

In times of persistent load shedding, manufacturing companies will find tremendous economic benefits in hiring the services of temporary power providers. Reliable electricity is the lifeblood of manufacturing companies, and renting large-scale power plants can guarantee a constant supply of power to their facilities without the need to spend scarce CAPEX in building permanent power stations. In these difficult times for the industry, manufacturing companies will appreciate the fact that they can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants from their operating revenues. Manufacturing companies can also choose to add power modules to the rental power plants as their operations expand and their requirement for electricity increase, for instance during peak production seasons.

Rental power plants are not only reliable, they are also environmentally friendly. Modern rental generators boast of cleaner operations, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or dual-fuel. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that temporary power stations, like those running on natural gas, can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment.

“Electricity is a critical input to production,” said another industry player, as he shared the apprehension of other business operators about not reaching their respective production targets for 2015. “We understand that the ongoing power situation is a crisis. We, need, however, to save the critical sectors that generate and create business for the country and employment for its people.”

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Can We Capture and Utilize the Electrons Produced Through Photosynthesis?

We were taught about photosynthesis in school – a process through which plants convert sunlight into food. Approximately all of the photons captured by plants from sunlight are turned into electrons, which then go through further processes to generate sugars.

But, did you know that photosynthesis can be interrupted to capture and utilize the electrons produced through it? A study conducted by the University of Georgia is focused on harnessing the power of these electrons to generate electricity.


How is it possible? 

The key is in extracting certain parts of plants that lead to thylakoids, the photosynthetic reaction, and then immobilize them on a bed of carbon nanotubes that will play the role of effective electrical conductors to capture and send the electrons on, along the wire. Then, with a consistent light flow, there will also be a continuous flow of electrons that can be converted to electrical power.

The roadmap ahead

The scholars agree that there is still a lot to cover and more complicated processes to be handled in relation to taking the thylakoids out of a plant. They believe that this machinery would eventually have to be genetically engineered to maintain stability throughout the process and completely harness the potential of the system.

Once the system is stably in place, the researchers believe that the applications for this technology are endless. This entirely clean energy source will be capable of acting as a true source of electricity for various machinery and for remote locations.

While the technology is still being enhanced and optimized, existing alternative sources of electricity, like rental power plants, can fill in the gap in power supply, where and when needed. Temporary power plants, which do not call for a huge CAPEX, can be easily deployed and installed at almost any conceivable location or site on Earth. They can be tailored to precisely respond to the power needs of any operation, and can be ramped up or scaled down depending on the requirement. They do not require extensive civil work to begin operating, and can function even without substations. Moreover, modern rental power stations are environmentally friendly, at times even doing better than the global emission benchmark.

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Monday, September 28, 2015

Rental Power Plants: Providing Reliable Electricity to the Mining Industry

A persistent shortage and instability in the supply of power around the world, in some instances for reasons beyond any party’s control, has pushed many countries and mining operators to agree to reduce power supply to mining sites. The electricity supply insufficiency and the consequent load shedding, on top of increasing overhead costs and continuously weakening commodity prices, have driven mining companies in different regions to scale down or suspend operations altogether.


“Some parts of mining operations will be halted or scaled back to cope with the regular power cuts,” say an industry player. “Electricity,” he adds, “is not only utilized in the actual mining and processing, but also in maintenance. So, we are particularly preoccupied about our old underground mines, because there power is an exceedingly high overhead cost.” He believes that with the way things are going at the present, the immediate solution to save the business is to lay off workers, by the thousands.

Some entities have tried surmounting the challenge by importing power from their neighboring countries. But while it is not a guarantee of a continuous power supply, introducing power from other countries have led to an increased cost of running mining operations, owing to higher electricity prices.

Some operators have installed local power generation systems to support the supply of electricity to the mining sites, but their power production is not always enough to run the energy-intensive processes of a large-scale mining operations, including exploration, production, and climate control.

In times of persistent power shortage, mining companies will find hiring the services of temporary power providers beneficial to their operations. It is undeniable that electricity plays an essential role in mining operations, and renting large-scale power plants can guarantee a constant supply of reliable power to mining sites, without the need to spend scarce CAPEX in building permanent power facilities. In these difficult times for the industry, mining companies will appreciate the fact that they can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants from their operating revenues. Mining companies can also choose to add power modules to the rental power plants as their operations expand and their requirement for electricity increase.

Rental power plants are not only reliable, they are also environmentally friendly. Modern rental generators boast of cleaner operations, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or a combination of gas and diesel. Studies conducted in different rental power plants sites around the world show that temporary power stations, like those running on natural gas, can surpass the worldwide NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after treatment.

The present times have not been favorable to the mining industry. Mining companies, established and start-ups alike, are struggling to maintain a profitable production, and this has resulted in job loss and limited expenditure. A reliable and consistent supply of electricity is one key solution to the survival and development of mining operations against the backdrop of these trying times, and rental power plants represent a technology that can guarantee just that.

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Sunday, September 27, 2015

Eight Facts You May Not Know About Africa’s Power Production

Many African countries have been facing power supply challenges for various reasons. Be they related to power infrastructure, seasonal changes, or natural phenomena, electricity shortages have considerable effects on the lives of people in Africa.

Africa Altaaqa Global Power Energy Electricity Hire Rental Temporary

Africa’s power situation, however, offers more interesting specifics beyond the usual news of power outages, load shedding and blackouts. We trawled the web to find interesting facts about Africa’s energy use. Here are eight notable facts, below:

Zambia and Mozambique’s dependence on hydropower is at high 90s
More than 99.6% of Zambia’s electrical energy is attributed to hydropower, while 99.8% of Mozambique’s electricity is generated by dams. In the coming years, however, experts see that Mozambique’s dependence on hydropower will be reduced as it set to become Africa’s biggest producer of natural gas.

Algeria produces 92.4% of its energy from natural gas 
Algeria’s energy production from natural gas bested Egypt’s 75%, Ivory Coast’s 67.5%, Nigeria’s 50% and Gabon’s 40.5%. It is important to note that globally, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkmenistan meet completely all of their energy needs from gas.

Eritrea generates 99.4% of its energy from oil—the highest proportion globally
As a side note, a resident of Eritrea consumes the lowest energy per year of any nationality globally. A resident of the US consumes 55 times more, and that of Qatar 135 times more.

Botswana produces 100% of its energy from coal 
Botswana has an estimated 35 billion tonnes of the resource. The government puts it at 212 billion tonnes. As a comparison, South Africa derives about 94% of its power from coal.

Botswana has the highest GDP per unit energy use
In 2012, the country derived $13.8 from a kilogramme of oil equivalent, making it the most efficient in Africa, and fifth most efficient globally. To contextualize this fact, Hong Kong is the most efficient, getting $24.6 from the same quantity.

South Africa is Africa’s largest producer of energy
South Africa produces 163 million tonnes of oil equivalent. It is ranked 17th in the world, with Algeria and Egypt as the only other African countries making it to the global top 30.

South Africa is the continent’s largest consumer of energy
According to the World Bank, South Africa consumes 141 million tonnes of oil. In comparison, China, South Africa’s largest trading partner, consumes 20 times more.

African countries are among the world’s lowest net importers of energy
Top African crude producers Republic of Congo, Gabon and Angola export all of their production and harness renewable energy sources instead. As an illustration, Congo produces just 0.7% of its electricity from oil and 60% from hydro, while Angola generates 70% of its energy from hydro.

The power and energy sector in Africa offers notable potential. Though still confronted with various power-related challenges, Africa has been showing significant momentum in power across the continent. Experts agree that a balanced and reliable energy mix, including traditional, renewable and temporary power sources, can keep Africa on the road to further economic and social development.

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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Temporary Power: Keeping the Mining Industry Buoyant Through the Trying Times

The present times have not been favorable to the mining industry.

Many mine operators in Africa, Asia and South America have been facing myriad production-related challenges, owing to power shortages, not helped by the longer and stronger than expected El Niño phenomenon. El Niño, a cyclical meteorological phenomenon, brings extreme weather to parts of South America, Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa. For instance, mining operators in Indonesia, a major nickel and copper producer, have been facing consistent output drops as hydroelectric power facilities fail to generate enough electricity. In Peru and Chile, persistent heavy rains not only cause extreme flooding into zinc mines, affecting their production and triggering price spikes, but wide spread blackouts and damage to power infrastructure.


Then, there is the gradual decline of prices of commodities for the past several years. Prices of gold, silver, iron ore, coal and copper have all been negatively affected by stringent credit restrictions, weak global demand and a growing supply from new low-cost projects. As a result, mining companies, established and start-ups alike, are struggling to maintain a profitable production, resulting in job cuts and tighter cash flows and limited expenditures.

In such a case, mine operators can find huge benefits in hiring the services of temporary power providers. Electricity plays an undeniably essential role in mining operations, be it in exploration, production, climate control or workplace visibility, and rental power plants can provide the necessary electricity without the operators spending scarce CAPEX. As opposed to investing in permanent power infrastructure, mining companies can pay for the electricity produced by hired power plants from their operating revenues. As their operations expand and their power requirements increase, mine operators will be able to add additional power modules that will increase the rental power plant’s generation capacity. The investment in temporary power plants have been proven to be marginal compared to the cost of foregone opportunities, lost production time, or wasted man-hours.


As rental generators are modular and containerized, they can be rapidly delivered to and installed anywhere in the world, and can be tailored to the requirement of any mining site. They are fully able to function even in remote locations and in sites where traditional power infrastructure, like grids and substations, is outdated, damaged or absent. They can be fully constructed and powered on in a matter of days, and can be ramped up or scaled down depending on a site’s power usage demand.

Modern rental generators boast of a cleaner operation, being able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or dual-fuel (70% gas and 30% diesel). As a case in point, Caterpillar’s natural gas-powered generators surpass the NOx emission requirements, emitting only 250 mg/Nm3 even without after-treatment.

Caterpillar’s gas generators are also capable of converting coal mine methane to electric or thermal power, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The gas generator technologies have the ability to utilize gas with variable concentrations of methane.

The global mining industry is going through challenging times triggered by natural and economic circumstances. Temporary power technologies can give mine operators a sustainable competitive advantage, as they can enhance a site’s productivity and optimize its processes without the need for a sizeable capital expenditure.

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Monday, September 7, 2015

Straight from the Shoulder: Insights on the Rental Power Market in the Middle East

Altaaqa Global CCO, Julian Ford, shared his insights on the outlook of the temporary power industry in the Middle East. He also discussed how generators running on gas and dual-fuel are gradually gaining ground. Highlights...

What has led to the rise in the power rental market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)?

First of all, it is important to note that the rental power industry in the Middle East, as with other regions in the world, goes in cycles, and is dependent on the prevailing market situation and activities. 

The buoyance of the rental power market in the MENA region is spurred by several factors.

  • Utility shortages, particularly in KSA, Kuwait and Iraq, especially during peak summer months 
  • The gradual recovery of the construction industry in UAE and Saudi Arabia
  • Sustained production of oil & gas and repair & maintenance of refineries and associated infrastructure
  • Absent or unreliable electricity connection in many areas in the region
  • Regional growth in population and upgrades in the standards of living
  • The availability of diesel, and the nascent increase in the supply of natural gas, particularly in African markets 
  • Large industrial customers companies turning to rental power to maintain the effectiveness/productivity of their operations in times of power interruptions or peak shaving
  • Looking forward, there will also be significant opportunities for infrastructure rebuilding and development in like Iraq, Libya and Syria

Which is the biggest genset market in the region? Recent reports suggest Saudi Arabia and Qatar are leading the way. What are the countries, you think, follow the list?

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE have been demonstrating high economic growth rates buoyed by industrial and commercial development. As such, these countries have consistently been the biggest market for gensets in the region, be it for rental or for sales. On the sales front, a recent report by Frost and Sullivan show that the genset market in the GCC is set to grow to as much as USD 950.4 million in 2018, largely due to intensive construction activities, prevention of transmission and distribution bottlenecks and determent of power shortages. Rental figures follow a similar trajectory.

It is interesting to note that certain markets, like the UAE, reflect encouraging genset sales figures because they are vital hubs for re-exporting generators to nearby markets.

A number of other Middle Eastern markets, like Yemen, Iraq and Syria, are currently going through a difficult period. As the governance of these countries become more stable in the coming years, we believe that they will represent excellent market opportunities for temporary power providers.

Between gas and diesel gensets, which has a better growth prospect and why? Upcoming trends in the genset market for the MENA region?

It is expected that the diesel genset market will continue to grow in the next several years, riding high on the wide availability of fuel, fuel safety and economy and ease of installment of diesel equipment.

We are noticing however the gradual expansion of the natural gas and dual-fuel genset markets, particularly where inexpensive natural gas is available. The growth of such markets are supported by the increase in unconventional gas resources and by stringent emission regulations in vigor in many countries around the world.

In the past, fuel availability and the costs of installing safe and reliable fuel delivery infrastructure have been limitations on the growth of the natural gas generator market. Today, however, gas is becoming increasingly available and gas generation technology progressively finds application in bigger and longer-duration projects.  The availability of dual-fuel generators (which significantly simplifies the transition from diesel-run to gas-run generators), is also helping to overcome these obstacles.

Side-bar: How do dual-fuel gensets work?
  • Operate on a blend of diesel and natural gas fuel
  • They start operating with diesel as the fuel
  • As gas becomes available, the technology blends the gas with the diesel, substituting natural gas for diesel.
  • When a sufficient supply of natural gas is available for stand-alone operations, then the existing power plant can be easily replaced with 100% gas-fuelled generators


      What are the preferred ranges that are most popular in the region and the industries that are catered to? 
      The amount of required power vary from industry to industry. For instance, construction projects may require a few hundred kVA during the building phase to a few MW during the commissioning stage. Refinery maintenance and rehabilitation of often requires several MW of power. The utility industry has the biggest demand, usually requiring power plants of tens or hundreds of MW to provide supplementary power to the grid. 

      For our part, we provide large-scale temporary power plants, focused on utility markets, extractive industries such as mining and oil and gas, large process industries and major construction infrastructure projects.  


      End

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      Temporary Power Plants Support Hydropower Generation

      Many countries around the globe whose electricity generation is mainly dependent on hydropower are being adversely affected by the extended and intense El Niño phenomenon. El Niño, a cyclical meteorological phenomenon, brings droughts in a number of regions in the world, causing hydropower facilities to fail to generate enough electricity for residential and industrial consumption.


      In cases like this, utility providers or governments of hydropower-dependent countries can find merit in hiring large-scale temporary power plants. Rental power plants can instantly fill in the gap in electricity supply without the need to heavily invest in permanent power infrastructure or wait years or decades for the completion of one. As large-scale rental generators are modular and containerized they can be rapidly delivered to and installed anywhere in the world, and can be configured to the requirement of any city, region or even an entire country. They are fully capable of working in remote locations and in areas where grids or substations are outdated, damaged or absent. They can be fully constructed and operated in a matter of weeks, and can be ramped up or scaled down based on the customer’s consumption.

      Aside from proven reliability and ease of installation and operation, large-scale temporary power plants also boast of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Modern large-scale rental generators are able to run on a variety of fuels, including natural gas or dual-fuel (gas and diesel) and thus surpass worldwide emission standards.

      By virtue of their economy, dependability and environmentally friendliness, renting large-scale temporary power plants as a solution for seasonal electricity requirements yields many benefits to governments, utilities, industries and residents.

      End

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      Sunday, August 30, 2015

      Load Shedding, the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Quest to Save Lives

      In light of the constant increase in electricity demand and a relatively moderate investment in the construction or refurbishing of power infrastructure, many countries around the world face the problem of regular load shedding and continual power outages. The effects of load shedding and power interruptions are felt by almost all sectors of the society and economy, including residents, the government, primary resource businesses and manufacturing/processing industries. One sector that has been ailing from constant power outages is the pharmaceutical industry.


      Industry spokespersons cite that constant load shedding has been making it difficult for their companies to manufacture drugs and other pharmaceutical products, including potentially life-saving medicines for serious diseases, including cancer and hepatitis. “Shortage of power,” says one pharmaceutical facility operator, “is not only affecting our production, but has also been making the lives of patients around the world more difficult.” He said that power outages render more challenging not only meeting the local demand for medicines, but also fulfilling export requirements. “Before load shedding,” he continues, “we have been satisfactorily meeting the domestic pharmaceutical requirements, but now, we have found it increasingly difficult to meet our targets here and abroad.”

      Industry players have been clamoring for the pharmaceutical sector to be exempted from daily rounds of load shedding and peak shaving, but the governments and the utility providers cannot always guarantee this. “There are days when we experience continuous power,” says another operator, “but most of the time, power is cut at unexpected times, and the outage lasts for hours.” He understands that residents, businesses and industries all share a limited supply of electricity, and a privilege of a continuous supply of power extended to the pharmaceutical industry will be at the expense of another industry or the residents. “We know that it is very difficult at this time for the utility providers to exempt us from load shedding or peak lopping,” the same operator continues, “so we have installed local power generation facilities within our sites.” The problem, however, is that their power production is not always reliable, and is not always sufficient for large-scale production.


      Pharmaceutical facility operators may find benefits in supporting their local power generation facilities, like renewable sources, with large-scale standby power equipment, like rental power plants. Rental power plants are capable of providing a reliable and consistent electricity supply to industry-scale operations, and generating the exact amount of power as they are designed to produce. They can be ramped up or scaled down depending on the precise need of the customer, hence precluding instances of under- or over-sizing. So, for instance, if the local power facility produces sufficiently, then the rental power plants go on standby mode; but once the electricity supply diminishes, the temporary power plants activate and ensure that the desired amount of electricity is supplied.

      As constructing rental power plants do not require a huge capital expenditure, implementing them does not mean an additional burden for pharmaceutical companies. The companies can pay the electricity supply as they go, and do not have to think of the maintenance and servicing of the plants.
       
      With rental power plants, pharmaceutical production facilities can continuously operate to meet the local demand for medicines, and fulfill their export requirements. They can go on creating life-saving medicines for the most pressing illnesses of the world. While the governments and the utility industries construct and improve power infrastructure to eliminate load shedding, temporary power plants can ensure that life goes on not only for patients but also for the pharmaceutical industry.

      End

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      Tuesday, August 25, 2015

      Load Shedding Throws Food Production into Disorder

      Power interruptions affect the entire food supply chain – from primary production to the delivery of goods to consumers. Farmers are highly dependent on electricity for irrigation, livestock care and harvesting. Food processing plants rely on electricity to run their machinery and keep procedures thorough and safe. Food storage facilities depend on power to maintain the correct temperature in their stock rooms. Groceries and supermarkets have to continuously run freezers and chillers to keep food items safe for public consumption.


      Food manufacturing and processing entities declare that the foremost challenge in this whole scheme of electricity supply inadequacy is the uncertainty around the schedule of load shedding. The unpredictability of when the power will go out makes it difficult for companies to schedule their operations around the outages. As food processing and manufacturing facilities cannot afford to shut down operations during blackouts or halt production processes once they have been started, a sudden loss of electricity and stoppage in production often result in million upon millions of wasted raw materials and discarded half-finished products. Not to mention that there are also processes that are completely dependent on biorhythms of animals, like milking or laying eggs – these cannot be scheduled around load shedding timings.

      Let’s quickly look at the processing of fresh milk as an illustration. Once the milk is in a silo, it has to be treated, cooled and transported to a dairy plant for processing. It has to be kept at the perfect temperature, and then processed through various heating and cooling stages. This being so, a milk processing plant needs electricity 24/7, or it runs the risk of discarding unfinished products or producing unsafe goods. Either way, the financial and opportunity losses can amount to several millions.

      The unwanted effects of power outages spill over post-harvest. Once food items have been processed and finalized for distribution, they have to be carefully stored at the precise temperature so their quality does not deteriorate and their safety is ensured. If, at any point, such a process is disrupted by temperature abuse, the products lose value or, worse, thrown away due to safety concerns.

      Some food processing facilities have attempted to work around the problem by employing solar or wind energy facilities within their sites, but later on found out that such power sources were not always able to sufficiently produce for a huge production load.

      While renewable energy sources are excellent options to support conventional power sources, they can become more viable if integrated with standby power generation systems, like rental power plants. Temporary power plants can help plug in the gap in electricity supply in instances when solar or wind power facilities inadequately produce. Rental power stations have been configured to generate at all times the exact amount of electricity as needed, and can be ramped up or scaled down depending on the requirement of the minute.

      Food processing and manufacturing facilities may also find benefits in renting power plants during seasons of peak production. During months of increased demand for food products, food processing and manufacturing facilities cannot afford to limit or suspend production just because there is insufficient power, or they will lose huge economic opportunities to grow their business and expand their customer base. During such times, rental power plants can ensure the continuous supply of electricity for uninterrupted operations.

      Large-scale temporary power plants can supply reliable electricity to large food processing, manufacturing and storage facilities all over the world. They are easily installed and commissioned, and can be quickly decommissioned as desired. Constructing rental power plants will not disrupt operations, as they are containerized and configured for plug-and-play installation.

      As building temporary power plants do not require a large capital expenditure, food processing and manufacturing facilities will be able to pay for the electricity as they go, and not spend scarce Dollars on infrastructure construction and maintenance.

      By employing fast-track, reliable and sustainable alternative sources of electricity, like rental power plants, food processing and manufacturing companies can ensure the health, safety and loyalty of the people that patronize their products.

      In the next article, we will discuss how load shedding affects the pharmaceutical industry and how rental power plants can ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines and other pharmaceutical products.


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      Monday, August 17, 2015

      Do Renewable Energy Facilities Have a Negative Impact on the Environment?

      Every year, the number of countries that pledge to incorporate renewable energy in their overall energy mix is gradually going up. Be they incited by a constantly increasing demand for electricity, a keen interest to augment electrification rates or by the desire to conform to strict efficiency and environmental stewardship standards, the plans to “go green” are projected to come into fruition in 10 to 20 years.


      In recent years, the world has seen a notable increase in the number of constructed and in-progress renewable energy facilities. In 2014, 64% of the global installed renewable energy capacity is hydro, 24% is wind, 8% is solar, 3% is bioenergy and 1% is geothermal (www.altenergymag.com). The facilities are indubitably geared towards the amplification of energy reserves and the reduction of the environmentally harmful effects of conventional energy generation, but are such facilities really as friendly to the environment as they are billed to be?

      We have investigated some of the negative effects of renewable energy facilities towards the environment, and here is what we found:

      Hydro

      Though hydropower facilities do not cause any direct air quality impact, their construction and operation can influence the flow of rivers, which, in turn, affects wildlife and people.

      Hydro facilities can cause flooding in and around the area where they are situated. When the water stored within the dam is suddenly released, it can lead to immediate flooding of the river downstream. The flooding may result in the destruction of agricultural land and forests.

      Wind

      Wind energy facilities are mostly scrutinized due to their impact on birds and other species. A recent release from the National Wind Coordinating Committee reflects that collisions with wind turbines, and the change in air pressure owing to spinning turbines are responsible for a number of deaths among birds and bats.

      Solar

      Complaints about solar facilities are often motivated by issues in land use, water use, habitat loss and materials used in the manufacture of solar panels.

      Case-in point, to build a large-scale power facility, a vast area of land is needed. Experts suggest that the use of many acres of land may result in clearing and grading of land, leading to soil compaction, erosion and alteration of drainage channels.

      Solar energy systems can also negatively affect the land during the process of materials extraction, exploration, manufacturing and disposal.

      Bioenergy

      Bioenergy feedstock, and the way it is harvested, may not only impact land use but also contribute to global warming emissions. For instance, human and animal waste utilized to power engines may increase harmful methane emission.

      In addition, using tree or tree products to create biomass requires vast forest lands to be cleared, which causes topical changes and damages animal habitat.

      Geothermal  

      Aside from being known as capital intensive, constructing geothermal facilities may cause poisonous gases to escape during the drilling of holes. Geothermal facilities are also, under extreme circumstances, known to cause earthquakes.

      While renewable energy facilities bring about observed negative impacts to the environment, one cannot deny the fact that they make a considerable difference in reducing carbon emissions largely associated with conventional electricity generation, among other processes. The onus is now on the R&D sector, manufacturers, implementing agencies and governments to mitigate (or eradicate) the impact the above-mentioned harmful effects.

      In Part 2 of this article, we will take a look at other alternative energy sources that can support the power demand while renewable energy technologies and infrastructure are enhanced and optimized.

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      Thursday, August 13, 2015

      Julian Ford Joins Altaaqa Global as Chief Commercial Officer

      With over 15 years of experience in the rental power industry, Ford takes the helm of the company’s strategic business development and top-line revenue generation functions

      Altaaqa Global, a leading global provider of large-scale temporary power services, has appointed energy industry veteran, Julian Ford as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective July 1, 2015. As the company’s CCO, Ford’s remit is to ensure that Altaaqa Global achieves revenue growth targets and overall commercial success, and to facilitate the formulation and implementation of innovative global commercial strategies.

      Julian Ford, Chief Commercial Officer of Altaaqa Global
      Ford’s career in the industry started at the time when the concept of power plants on a rental basis was just gaining ground. He had a hand in introducing the concept of power project rental to governments of developing economies, which allowed them to hire power capacity to address short term energy issues during times of hydropower shortage or other generation or transmission issues.
      Ford was instrumental in taking the rental power concept to different regions across the globe, including Middle East and Africa, South America, East Asia and South Asia. “My vision then,” he said, “was for the rental power market to develop beyond its traditional local markets and become a truly global business. We started in the Middle East and East Africa and quickly expanded our operations in other regions of the world.”

      A true visionary, Ford led the way for the development of the gas-fueled temporary power equipment market in the mid-2000s. “At that time,” explained Ford, “diesel costs were rapidly rising, and it was imperative to diversify the product offering and capitalize on the growth of natural gas reserves.” With keen interest in markets where gas reserves were not vast enough to be commercially developed, Ford pioneered a new business model that allowed countries to monetize their ‘stranded gas’ reserves to generate useful low-cost electricity for the national grid.

      Ford welcomes the challenge of his new role, as he recognizes the continuous evolution of the rental power industry. “The role of temporary power has evolved from being a local, short-term, transactional activity to a major global project-based industry,” said Ford, and added that it is no longer uncommon to see power plants of 100 MW and up being rented on a longer-term basis. “Our objective is to create a highly skilled, motivated and experienced, world-class, power projects team. My vision is for Altaaqa Global to lead the evolution of the industry, and to be recognized as the premier source of innovative technical solutions and the highest level of customer service and support.”

      About Altaaqa Global
      Altaaqa Global, a subsidiary of Zahid Group, has been selected by Caterpillar Inc. to deliver multi-megawatt turnkey temporary power solutions worldwide. The company owns, mobilizes, installs, and operates efficient temporary independent power plants (IPP’s) at customer sites, focusing on the emerging markets of Sub-Sahara Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, South East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Offering power rental equipment that will operate with different types of fuel such as diesel, natural gas, or dual-fuel, Altaaqa Global is positioned to rapidly deploy and provide temporary power plant solutions, delivering electricity whenever and wherever it may be needed.
      http://www.altaaqaglobal.com

      About Zahid Group
      Zahid Group represents a diverse range of companies, offering comprehensive, customer-centric solutions in a number of thriving industries. Some of those include construction; mining; oil & gas; agriculture; power, electricity & water generation; material handling; building materials; transportation & logistics; real estate development; travel & tourism; waste management & recycling; and hospitality.
      http://www.zahid.com

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      Julian Ford se une a Altaaqa Global como Director comercial

      Con más de 15 años de experiencia en el sector de alquiler de energía eléctrica, Ford toma las riendas del desarrollo de negocios estratégicos de la empresa y de las funciones de generación de ingresos brutos

      Altaaqa Global, un proveedor mundial líder de servicios de energía eléctrica temporaria a gran escala, ha designado al veterano del sector energético Julian Ford como Director comercial a partir del 1.° de julio de 2015. En tal sentido, el cometido de Ford es garantizar que Altaaqa Global alcance los objetivos de crecimiento de ingresos y obtenga éxito comercial en general, además de facilitar la formulación y la implementación de estrategias comerciales globales innovadoras.

      Julian Ford, Director comercial de Altaaqa Global
      La trayectoria de Ford en el sector comenzó en un momento en el que el concepto de las plantas de energía eléctrica en alquiler apenas comenzaba a ganar terreno. Tuvo parte en introducir el concepto de alquiler de proyectos de energía eléctrica en los gobiernos de las economías en desarrollo, que les permitió a dichas economías contratar capacidad energética para resolver problemas de energía eléctrica en el corto plazo durante etapas de escasez de energía hidroeléctrica u otros problemas de generación o transmisión.

      Ford jugó un papel decisivo en llevar el concepto de alquiler de energía eléctrica a diferentes regiones del mundo, entre ellas, Oriente Medio y África, América del Sur, Asia Oriental y Asia Meridional. “En ese momento —dijo—, mi misión era que el alquiler de energía eléctrica se desarrollara más allá de los mercados locales tradicionales y se convirtiera en un verdadero negocio mundial. Comenzamos por Oriente Medio y África Oriental, y rápidamente expandimos nuestra operación hacia otras regiones del mundo”.

      Como un verdadero visionario, Ford marcó el camino para el desarrollo del mercado de equipamiento de energía eléctrica temporaria a gas de mediados de la década del 2000. “En ese entonces, los costos del gasóleo subían rápidamente y era fundamental diversificar la oferta de productos y capitalizar el crecimiento de las reservas de gas natural”, explicó. Con un verdadero interés en los mercados donde las reservas de gas no eran suficientemente vastas para el desarrollo comercial, Ford promovió un nuevo modelo de negocios que les permitió a los países monetizar sus reservas de gas paralizadas para generar electricidad útil y de bajo costo para la red de suministro de electricidad nacional.

      Ford recibe con brazos abiertos el  desafío de su nueva posición ya que reconoce la continua evolución del sector de alquiler de energía eléctrica. “El rol de la energía eléctrica temporaria ha evolucionado: de ser una actividad local, de corto plazo y transaccional ha pasado a ser un importante sector basado en proyectos”, afirmó Ford, y agregó que ya no es poco común ver plantas de energía eléctrica de 100 MW o más en alquiler por períodos prolongados. “Nuestro objetivo es crear un equipo de proyectos de energía eléctrica de talla mundial, con experiencia, motivación y sumamente habilidoso. Mi visión es que Altaaqa Global lidere la evolución del sector y que sea reconocida como la principal fuente de soluciones técnicas innovadoras y con el más alto nivel de soporte y servicio al cliente”.

      Acerca de Altaaqa Global
      Altaaqa Global, filial de Zahid Group, ha sido seleccionada por Caterpillar Inc. para proporcionar soluciones energéticas temporales de múltiples MW de llave en mano a nivel mundial. La empresa posee, moviliza, instala y maneja eficaces plantas energéticas globales (PEG) temporales en emplazamientos de clientes, con una concentración en los mercados emergentes de África Subsahariana, Asia Central, el subcontinente indio, América Latina, Asia Sudoriental, Oriente Medio y África del Norte. Altaaqa Global, que ofrece equipos de alquiler para generación eléctrica capaces de funcionar con diferentes tipos de combustible, como diésel, gas natural o combustible dual, está posicionada para implementar y proporcionar rápidamente soluciones de plantas energéticas temporales que permiten suministrar electricidad en cualquier momento y lugar, según sea necesario.
      www.altaaqaglobal.com

      Acerca de Zahid Group
      Mediante asociaciones, empresas conjuntas y subsidiarias de propiedad total o parcial, Zahid Group representa un diverso rango de empresas que ofrecen soluciones integrales centradas en el cliente en una variedad de industrias florecientes.

      Algunas de estas industrias son: minería; petróleo y gas, agricultura; generación de energía, electricidad y agua; manipulación de materiales; materiales de construcción; transporte y logística; desarrollo inmobiliario; turismo y viajes; y hotelería, entre otras.

      En su esencia, Zahid Group abriga su prolongada relación con Arabia Saudita y los valores compartidos de integridad, profesionalismo, competencia, respeto y tolerancia, orgullo, y compromiso con la excelencia.

      Zahid Group busca continuamente la excelencia y se enorgullece de atraer a un equipo de sauditas excepcionalmente talentosos de ambos géneros, además de personas con capacidades diferentes y profesionales comprometidos oriundos de diversas partes del mundo. También se enorgullece de garantizar un entorno de trabajo seguro y placentero, a la vez que brinda las herramientas necesarias para el desarrollo personal y profesional.
      www.zahid.com

      ATENCIÓN A LOS MEDIOS
      Altaaqa Global
      Tel.: +971 56 1749505
      rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com