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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Altaaqa Global
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rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

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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Altaaqa Global
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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

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Julian Ford a été nommé directeur commercial d'Altaaqa Global

Fort de plus de 15 années d'expérience dans l'industrie de la location d'énergie, Ford prend la tête du développement stratégique des activités et des fonctions visant à augmenter le chiffre d'affaires de la société

Altaaqa Global, l'un des principaux fournisseurs mondiaux de services d'énergie temporaire à grande échelle, a nommé Julian Ford comme directeur commercial. Cet homme chevronné du secteur de l'énergie a pris ses fonctions le 1er juillet 2015. En tant que directeur commercial de la société, le rôle de Ford est de garantir qu'Altaaqa Global atteint ses objectifs en matière de progression des bénéfices et plus globalement de succès commerciaux ainsi que de faciliter la formulation et la mise en place de stratégies commerciales mondiales innovantes.

Julian Ford, directeur commercial d'Altaaqa Global
Ford a débuté sa carrière dans ce secteur à une époque où le concept de centrales électriques de location gagnait du terrain. Il s'est impliqué dans la présentation du concept de location d'énergie aux gouvernements des pays en voie de développement, ce qui leur a permis de louer des capacités énergétiques afin de résoudre les problèmes électriques sur le court-terme lors des pénuries hydroélectriques ou ceux en lien avec la production ou la transmission.

Ford a joué un rôle essentiel dans l'introduction du concept de location d'électricité dans les différentes régions du monde, y compris le Moyen-Orient et l'Afrique, l'Amérique du Sud, l'Asie de l'Est et du Sud. "À l'époque, j'avais pour ambition que le secteur de la location d'énergie se développe en dehors de ses marchés locaux traditionnels et qu'il devienne vraiment mondial. Nous avons commencé au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique de l'Est, puis nous avons rapidement étendu nos opérations dans d'autres régions du monde", déclare-t-il.

Véritable visionnaire, Ford a ouvert la voie au développement du marché des équipements d'énergie temporaire alimentés au gaz au milieu des années 2000. "A cette période, les coûts du diesel augmentaient rapidement et il était impératif de diversifier l'offre de produits et d'investir dans la croissance des réserves de gaz naturel", explique Ford. Vivement intéressé par les marchés dont les réserves gazières n'étaient pas suffisantes pour être commercialisées, Ford a lancé un nouveau modèle économique permettant aux pays de monétiser leurs réserves de gaz inexploitées afin de générer de l'électricité à bas coût utile pour le réseau national.

Ford est prêt à répondre aux défis inhérents à son nouveau rôle car il reconnaît que l'industrie de la location d'énergie est en perpétuelle évolution. "L'énergie temporaire est passée d'une activité locale, à court terme et transactionnelle, à une industrie mondiale majeure basée sur des projets", déclare Ford, tout en ajoutant qu'il n'est plus rare de voir des centrales électriques de 100 MW ou plus être louées sur de plus longues périodes. "Notre objectif est de créer une équipe hautement compétente, motivée et expérimentée en matière de projets énergétiques à l'échelle mondiale. Mon ambition est qu'Altaaqa Global orchestre l'évolution de l'industrie et soit reconnue comme la première source de solutions techniques innovantes et la meilleure en terme d'assistance et de service clients."

À propos d'Altaaqa Global
Altaaqa Global, filiale du groupe Zahid, a été choisie par Caterpillar Inc. pour fournir des solutions électriques temporaires clé en main de plusieurs mégawatts dans le monde entier. L'entreprise possède, mobilise, installe et exploite des centrales électriques globales (GPP, Global Power Plants) temporaires et efficaces sur le site des clients, avec un intérêt particulier pour les pays émergents d'Afrique sub-saharienne, d'Asie centrale, du sous-continent indien, d'Amérique latine, d'Asie du Sud-Est, du Moyen-Orient et d'Afrique du Nord. Avec son offre de location d'équipements capables de fonctionner avec différents carburants (diesel, gaz naturel ou bicarburant), Altaaqa Global est bien positionnée pour déployer rapidement des solutions de génération électrique temporaire afin de produire l'électricité à l'endroit et au moment où les besoins sont les plus grands.
www.altaaqaglobal.com

À propos de Zahid Group
Au travers de partenariats, de co-entreprises et de filiales en propriété non exclusive et exclusive, le Zahid Group représente un éventail varié d'entreprises, offrant des solutions complètes, focalisées sur les clients dans plusieurs industries prospères.

Ces industries incluent : le secteur minier, pétrolier et gazier, l'agriculture, l'énergie, l'eau et la génération d'électricité, l'énergie renouvelable, le traitement des matières, les transports et la logistique, l'immobilier, les voyages et le tourisme et l'hôtellerie, pour n'en citer que quelques-unes.

Au cœur du Zahid Group se trouve la relation de longue durée avec l'Arabie Saoudite et leurs valeurs partagées en matière d'intégrité, de professionnalisme, de compétence, de respect et de tolérance, de fierté et d'engagement envers l'excellence.

Le Zahid Group cherche constamment à atteindre l'excellence et est fier d'attirer de talentueux travailleurs saoudiens, hommes et femmes, ainsi que ceux victimes de handicaps, et des professionnels engagés des quatre coins du monde. Il est fier de pouvoir fournir un lieu de travail sûr et appréciable, tout en offrant les outils nécessaires au développement professionnel et personnel.
www.zahid.com


QUESTIONS DES MÉDIAS
Altaaqa Global
Tél : +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Julian Ford è il nuovo direttore commerciale di Altaaqa Global

Con 15 anni d’esperienza nell’industria di centrali elettriche temporanee, Ford s’incarica dello sviluppo strategico e della generazione di reddito della società

Altaaqa Global, uno dei fornitori leader al livello mondiale della prestazione dell’elettricità temporanea, ha designato Julian Ford, un veterano del settore energetico, come direttore commerciale dal 1o luglio 2015. Ford, come il direttore commerciale di Altaaqa Global, è tenuto a garantire l’adempimento degli obiettivi di crescita della società e il suo successo complessivo, e a facilitare la formulazione e l’implementazione delle strategie commerciali.

Julian Ford, il direttore commerciale di Altaaqa Global
La carriera di Ford è iniziata durante gli anni in cui il concetto di noleggiare centrali elettriche era ancora nascente. Ha contribuito ad introdurre tale concetto ai governi dei paesi emergenti. La tecnologia ha fatto possibile per tali paesi noleggiare la capacità di potenza, per esempio durante stagioni in cui la generazione idroelettrica non fosse sufficiente, o nei casi di qualsiasi problemi nella generazione o trasmissione elettrica.

È stato anche strumentale nell’introdurre il concetto alle diverse regioni del mondo, tra cui il Medio Oriente, l’Africa, l’America del sud, l’Asia orientale e l’Asia meridionale. “Durante quel tempo,” ha detto Ford, “la mia visione era che il mercato dell’energia temporanea svilupasse oltre ai territori tradizionali e diventasse veramente globale. Abbiamo cominciato dall’Medio Oriente ed Africa orientale. Poi, abbiamo rapidamente esteso la nostra operazione alle altre regioni del mondo.

Come un vero precursore, Ford ha aperto la via allo sviluppo del mercato delle centrali elettriche temporanee a gas negli anni 2000. “In quegli anni,” ha detto Ford, “il prezzo di gasolio era aumentando. Dunque, era imperativo diversificare la nostra offerta di prodotti e servizi e trarre pieno vantaggio dalla crescita delle riserve di gas naturale.” Con particolare attenzione ai paesi in cui le reserve di gas naturale non erano vaste per lo sviluppo commerciale, Ford ha promosso un modello operativo che ha fatto possibile per tali paesi monetizzare le proprie reserve di gas “stagnanti” e produrre elettricità economica per distribuzione tramite la rete nazionale.

Ford raccoglie la sfida della sua nuova funzione, e riconosce la rivoluzione continua dell’industria d’elettricità provvisoria. “Il ruolo dell’elettricità temporanea si è evoluto da quello locale e a breve termine, a quello globale e basato su progetti,” ha detto Ford, aggiungendo che è diventato più comune sentire notizie delle centrali elettriche provvisorie di 100 MW o più prese a noleggio a lungo termine. “Il nostro obiettivo è creare un gruppo di professionisti specializzati, motivati e di livello mondiale. La mia visione è che Altaaqa Global apra la strada all’evoluzione dell’industria, e che la società sia riconosciuta la principale fonte delle soluzioni tecniche innovative e del servizio ed assistenza alla clientela del massimo livello.”

Su Altaaqa Global 
Altaaqa Global, una società controllata dal Gruppo Zahid (Zahid Group), è stata scelta da Caterpillar Inc. per fornire al livello mondiale soluzioni di alimentazione elettrica provvisoria da multi-megawatt chiavi in mano. La società possiede, mobilita, installa e gestisce efficaci centrali elettriche independenti temporanee presso gli stabilimenti dei clienti, particolarmente nei mercati emergenti, tra cui l’Africa subsahariana, l’Asia centrale, il subcontinente indiano, l’America Latina, il Sud-Est asiatico, il Medio Oriente ed il Nordafrica. Altaaqa Global, che offre attrezzature energetiche a noleggio a diversi tipi di combustibile, come gasolio, gas naturale e dual fuel (70% gas e 30% gasolio), è ben posizionato a provvedere ed implementare rapidamente centrali elettriche temporanee che forniscono elettricità in qualsisasi momento e luogo quando sia necessaria.
http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/press-media/press-releases

Sul Gruppo Zahid (Zahid Group)
Il Gruppo Zahid (Zahid Group) è composto da una vasta gamma di società che offrono soluzioni globali focalizzate sui clienti in diverse industrie emergenti. Alcune di queste industrie sono i settori edile, minerario, petrolifero e del gas, agricolo, energetico, idrico, turistico ed alberghiero. Il gruppo opera, inoltre, nell’ambito dei settori di manipolazione del materiale, dei materiali da costruzione, del trasporto e della logistica, e di sviluppo immobiliare.
http://www.zahid.com/

PER ULTERIORI INFORMAZIONI:
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

PER ACQUISIRNE UNA COPIA:
Altaaqa Global
Dipartimento di Marketing
P.O. Box 262989
Dubai, Emirati Arabi Uniti

Julian Ford junta-se à Altaaqa Global como Diretor Executivo Comercial

Com mais de 15 anos de experiência no setor de aluguel de energia, Ford assume o comando do desenvolvimento estratégico dos negócios e das funções de geração de receitas de alto nível da empresa

A Altaaqa Global, líder no fornecimento mundial de serviços de energia temporários em grande escala, nomeou o veterano do setor de energia Julian Ford como Diretor Executivo Comercial (CCO), a partir de 1° de julho de 2015. Como CCO da empresa, a missão de Ford é garantir que a Altaaqa Global alcance as metas de crescimento de receitas e o sucesso comercial em geral, e facilitar a formulação e a implementação de estratégias comerciais globais inovadoras.

Julian Ford, Diretor Executivo Comercial da Altaaqa Global
A carreira de Ford no setor começou em uma época em que o conceito de aluguel de centrais elétricas estava recém começando a ganhar terreno. Ele participou da introdução do conceito de aluguel de projeto de energia para governos de economias em desenvolvimento, o que lhes permitiu contratar capacidade de energia para atender aos problemas energéticos de curto prazo durante a escassez hidroelétrica ou outros problemas de geração ou de transmissão.

Ford foi fundamental para a expansão do conceito de aluguel de energia para diversas regiões do mundo, incluindo o Oriente Médio e a África, a América do Sul, o Leste e o Sul da Ásia. Ele disse: “Naquela época, a minha visão era o desenvolvimento do mercado de aluguel de energia para além de seus mercados locais tradicionais, tornando-se um verdadeiro negócio global. Começamos com o Oriente Médio e o Leste da África e rapidamente expandimos nossas operações em outras regiões do mundo.”

Um verdadeiro visionário, Ford liderou o caminho para o desenvolvimento do mercado de equipamentos de energia temporária abastecidos a gás na metade dos anos 2000. Ford explicou: “Naquele tempo, os custos do diesel estavam subindo rapidamente e era imperativo diversificar a oferta de produtos e capitalizar o crescimento das reservas de gás natural.” Com um forte interesse em mercados em que as reservas de gás natural não eram vastas o suficiente para serem desenvolvidas comercialmente, Ford foi pioneiro de um novo modelo de negócios que permitia que os países monetizassem suas reservas de gás em desuso para gerar eletricidade útil e de baixo custo para a rede nacional.

Ford aceita desafio de seu novo papel, pois ele reconhece a contínua evolução do setor de aluguel de energia. “O papel da energia temporária evoluiu de uma atividade transacional local e de curto prazo para um importante setor global baseado em projetos,” disse Ford, acrescentando que não é mais incomum ver centrais elétricas de 100 MW ou mais sendo alugadas por prazos mais longos. “Nosso objetivo é criar uma equipe de projetos de energia de categoria mundial, altamente qualificada, motivada e experiente. Minha visão é a Altaaqa Global como líder da evolução do setor, sendo reconhecida como a principal fonte de soluções técnicas inovadoras e do mais alto nível de serviço e assistência ao cliente.”

Sobre a Altaaqa Global
A Altaaqa Global, uma subsidiária do Grupo Zahid, foi selecionada pela Caterpillar Inc. para distribuir soluções elétricas completas temporárias de muitos megawatts em todo o mundo. A empresa possui, mobiliza, instala e opera centrais elétricas eficientes mundiais temporárias (GPPs) nos locais do cliente, concentrando-se nos mercados emergentes da África Subsaariana, Ásia Central, Subcontinente Indiano, América Latina, Sudeste da Ásia, Oriente Médio e Norte da África. Disponibilizando equipamento de energia elétrica de aluguel capaz de operar com diferentes tipos de combustíveis, tais como diesel, gás natural ou bicombustível, a Altaaqa Global está posicionada para instalar e implementar rapidamente soluções com centrais elétricas temporárias, fornecendo eletricidade sempre e onde quer que seja necessário.
www.altaaqaglobal.com

Sobre o Grupo Zahid
Através de parcerias, joint ventures e subsidiárias de propriedade parcial e total, o Grupo Zahid representa uma ampla gama de empresas que oferecem soluções completas centradas no cliente em vários setores em expansão.

Entre esses setores estão: mineração; petróleo e gás; agricultura; geração de energia, eletricidade e água; manuseio de materiais; materiais para construção; transporte e logística; desenvolvimento imobiliário; viagens e turismo e hospitalidade, para citar alguns.

No coração do Grupo Zahid está seu longo relacionamento com a Arábia Saudita e seus valores compartilhados de integridade, profissionalismo, competência, respeito e tolerância, orgulho e compromisso com a excelência.

O Grupo Zahid busca continuamente a excelência e se orgulha em ter um grupo de sauditas extremamente talentosos de ambos os sexos e aqueles com deficiências, bem como profissionais comprometidos oriundos de locais em todo o mundo. Ele tem orgulho em garantir um local de trabalho prazeroso ao mesmo tempo que fornece as ferramentas necessárias para desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional.
www.zahid.com

INFORMAÇÕES À IMPRENSA
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Джулиан Форд назначен новым коммерческим директором компании Altaaqa Global

Основными задачами Форда, успешно проработавшего более 15 лет в сфере обеспечения временного энергоснабжения, станут выработка стратегии развития компании и повышение показателей ее доходности.

1 июля 2015 года на должность коммерческого директора компании Altaaqa Global, ведущего мирового поставщика крупномасштабных решений в области временного энергоснабжения, был назначен Джулиан Форд, обладающий многолетним опытом работы в энергетической отрасли. Круг обязанностей Форда на должности коммерческого директора предполагает обеспечение достижения компанией Altaaqa Global целей в части роста доходов, обеспечение успешности бизнес-деятельности компании в целом, а также помощь в выработке и реализации инновационных глобальных коммерческих стратегий.

Коммерческий директор в компании Altaaqa Global Джулиан Форд
Свою карьеру в отрасли Форд начал в те времена, когда о решениях временного энергоснабжения только начинали говорить. Он принимал участие в ознакомлении представителей правительств стран с развивающейся экономикой с концепцией обеспечения временного энергоснабжения, что, в последствии, позволило этим странам арендовать системы выработки электроэнергии для решения краткосрочных затруднений при перебоях в работе гидроэлектростанций или иных проблем в выработке или передаче электроэнергии.

Форд играл ведущую роль в презентации концепции обеспечения временного энергоснабжения в разных уголках мира — в странах Ближнего Востока и Африки, в Южной Америке, в Юго-Восточной Азии. "В то время я считал, — говорит Форд, — что рынок решений для временного энергоснабжения должен наконец перерасти из локального в глобальный. Мы начали с региона Ближнего Востока и Восточной Африки, и скоро компания развернула свою деятельность в других регионах мира."

В середине 2000-х Форд, отличающийся сильным стратегическим мышлением, стал инициатором развития рынка оборудования для временных газовых электростанций. "Тогда, — поясняет Форд, — цены на дизельное топливо стремительно росли, поэтому мы были просто обязаны разнообразить портфолио предлагаемых решений и извлечь выгоду из развития запасов природного газа." Прежде всего, Форд был заинтересован в рынках, газовых запасов которых недостаточно для разработки в коммерческих целях. Так родилась новая бизнес-модель, которая позволила странам монетизировать труднодоступные запасы газа для производства столь необходимого дешевого электричества для потребностей внутреннего рынка.

Форд готов к трудностям, с которыми придется столкнуться в ходе выполнения новых должностных обязанностей — ведь ни для кого не секрет, что рынок временного энергоснабжения не стоит на месте. "Рынок временного энергоснабжения значительно вырос: от краткосрочных операций на локальном уровне до глобальной индустрии с реализацией масштабных проектов, — говорит Форд. — Теперь никого не удивляет долгосрочная аренда электростанций мощностью от 100 МВт и выше. Наша задача — создать команду высококвалифицированных, целеустремленных и опытных специалистов мирового класса. Моя миссия — помочь компании Altaaqa Global стать не только пионером эволюционных изменений в отрасли, но и лидером в области инновационных технологических решений, демонстрируя при этом высочайшие стандарты в сфере обслуживания и поддержки клиентов."

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 глобальными независимыми электростанциями (GPP) и мобилизует, устанавливает и эксплуатирует их на объектах заказчиков, а также уделяет особое внимание работе 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 разворачивать временные электростанции, обеспечивая энергоснабжение там, где необходимо, и тогда, когда это необходимо.
www.altaaqaglobal.com

О группе компаний Zahid Group
Группа компаний Zahid Group объединяет под своим крылом широкий круг партнерских организаций, совместных компаний, а также дочерних структур, находящихся в полном или частичном владении. Участники группы предоставляют комплексные, ориентированные на требования клиента решения в стремительно развивающихся секторах промышленности.

Сферы их деятельности включают: горнодобывающую промышленность, нефтегазовую отрасль, электроснабжение и опреснение воды, альтернативную энергию, транспортировку материалов, строительных материалов, перевозку и логистику, строительство, туризм, гостиничный бизнес, а также другие отрасли.

В основе работы группы компаний Zahid Group лежит длительное сотрудничество с Саудовской Аравией и общие ценности — честность, профессионализм, компетентность, уважение и толерантность, гордость и стремление к успеху.

Группа компаний Zahid Group неустанно развивается и совершенствует используемые технологии. Ее персонал состоит как из высококвалифицированных сотрудников и сотрудниц родом из Саудовской Аравии, в том числе специалистов с особыми потребностями, так и из зарекомендовавших себя профессионалов из разных уголков мира. Группа компаний Zahid Group обеспечивает своим сотрудникам безопасное и приятное рабочее место, а также предоставляет все необходимое для личностного и профессионального развития.
www.zahid.com

КОНТАКТЫ ДЛЯ ПРЕССЫ
Altaaqa Global
Тел: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Julian Ford 出任 Altaaqa Global 首席商务官

凭借在电力租赁行业逾15年的丰富经验,Julian Ford 成功执掌 Altaaqa Global 的战略业务发展和创收部门。

Altaaqa Global 是一家全球领先的大型临时电力服务供应商,已任命在能源行业具有丰富经验的 Julian Ford 作为公司的首席商务官(CCO),该任命于2015年7月1日起生效。作为该公司的首席商务官,Julian Ford 的职责是确保 Altaaqa Global 能够实现收益增长目标并获得整体商业成功,促进创新型全球商业战略的制定与实施。

Julian Ford,Altaaqa Global 首席商务官

Julian Ford 在电力租赁行业的职业生涯起步于发电厂租赁概念初露锋芒之时。他向发展中经济体政府引入了电力项目租赁这一概念,使得后者能够在遇到水电短缺或其他发电或输电问题时,利用电能租赁来解决短期能源问题。

在向中东、非洲、南美、东亚、南亚在内的全球多个地区引入电力租赁概念方面,Julian Ford 做出了很大贡献。力租赁市场的发展突破“我当时的梦想,”他说道,“是让电传统的区域割据局面,成为一项真正的全球业务。我们从中东和非洲东部起步,并迅速将业务运营拓展到了全球其他地区。”

Julian Ford 是一个真正具有远见卓识的人,正是他在本世纪头十年中期引领了天然气临时电力设备市场的蓬勃发展。“当时,”Julian Ford 解释道,“由于柴油成本攀升迅猛,使产品供应多元化以及充分利用天然气储量的增长是大势所趋。”对于天然气储备还不足以支撑商业化开发的市场,Julian Ford 具有浓厚兴趣,他率先建立了一个全新的业务模式,使各国可以对陷入困顿的天然气储备进行货币化运作,从而生产出实用且成本合算的电力,以满足全国电力需求。

Julian Ford 意识到电力租赁行业在持续不断地发展,所以他乐于接受新角色带来的挑战。“临时电力的角色已经从一个区域性、短期性的交易活动发展为一个重要的全球性项目产业,”Julian Ford 称,此外他补充道,以长期租赁形式存在的100兆瓦或更高功率的发电厂已变得越来越普遍。“我们的目标是打造一个技术精湛、积极主动而且经验丰富的全球一流电力项目团队。我希望看到 Altaaqa Global 引领行业发展,成为有口皆碑的创新型技术解决方案的最佳供应商,为客户提供最优质的服务与支持。”

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全球发电厂(GPP),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。
www.altaaqaglobal.com

关于扎西德集团
通过合伙、合资、完全和部分控股的子公司,扎西德集团代表了一系列多元化的企业,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:采矿、石油和天然气、农业、能源、电力和水力发电、可再生能源、物料运输、建筑材料、运输和物流、房地产开发、旅游观光和酒店业等。

扎西德集团的核心在于与沙特阿拉伯的长期合作关系,以及双方共同秉承的价值观,包括诚信敬业、出类拔萃、尊重宽容、重视荣誉和追求卓越。

扎希德集团一向追求卓越,吸引了大批沙特阿拉伯精英(包括男性、女性和残疾人)、以及来自全球各地的爱岗敬业人才。扎西德集团不仅打造了安全舒心的工作场所,还提供了助力个人和职业发展的必要工具。对此,集团引以为傲。
www.zahid.com

新闻咨询
Altaaqa Global
电话:+971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Things You Can Do to Mitigate the Effects of Load Shedding on Your Business

Modern businesses, be they small-, medium- or large-scale enterprises, heavily rely on electricity-powered technologies for their day-to-day operations. The companies of today largely depend on computers, scanning machines, fax machines and servers to support their everyday services. Therefore, it is not at all doubtful that the recent wave of load shedding incidents takes a heavy toll on businesses all over the world.


While bigger, more established businesses find reprieve in utilizing local generators to keep their operations running, small- and medium-scale businesses, not having much wriggle room, are often content in waiting out the darkness.

There are, however, practical solutions available today that small- and medium-scale business owners and employees can tap to mitigate the effects of blackouts on their operations.

For one, respectably featured laptops are, nowadays, becoming more affordable, and it makes economic sense to choose them over desktops. With laptops, employees can work outside their offices, in a coffee shop for instance, and still collaborate with the entire team through cloud-based productivity applications.

There are cloud-based word or spreadsheet processors available for free, and a company’s staff can use them to create, edit and share documents without being connected to a local server or ever printing a single page.

Companies can take it a step further and take a cost-effective investment to host e-mails, documents and applications in the cloud, for added security and flexibility. Not only is it considerably cheaper than procuring a local hosting infrastructure, hosting in the cloud can ensure that business will continue even when the lights go out.

For functions that cannot be hosted in the cloud or moved to a mobile device, such as printing, copying, fax and scanning (though there are scanning apps now available on smart phones), modern all-in-one machines can now work on batteries.

Load shedding used to be the stuff of nightmares for businesses. Now, by slightly altering the way we do things, companies can mitigate or even cancel its effects on their operations. But while blackouts are now easier to deal with, they should in no way be part of the everyday existence of businesses. Governments/utility providers should be able to take a proactive stance and stop or even prevent load shedding.

Innovative and cost-effective technologies, like rental power plants, now exist to provide the necessary electricity when a country’s power infrastructure cannot produce enough. They can be easily installed and commissioned, and can be constructed in as little as days – not weeks nor months. Hiring temporary power plants can avert power outages or stop blackouts in its tracks. The investment involved in renting electricity is proven to be marginal compared to the economic and social losses that a country may incur with persistent load shedding or wide-scale power interruptions.

A popular adage says that adversity may be the secret ingredient of success. By living through load shedding, businesses may learn how to tweak their operations and survive, or even save some money along the way. But if a business’ survival or a country’s economic viability is at stake, one cannot risk going through difficult times and simply hope for the best.  

End

PRESS INQUIRIES
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com