Altaaqa Global and Caterpillar Team Up to Power Cameroon and Empower Locals through Customer Development Program

The program through Caterpillar University helps solve Cameroon’s energy challenge while facilitating the transfer of engineering and advanced technical knowledge to local professionals at state-of-the-art 50 MW project

DUBAI – Altaaqa Global Caterpillar Rental Power, a leading global temporary power solutions provider, and Caterpillar Inc. have developed a solution to one of Cameroon’s biggest challenges: reliable energy access. This solution is not only about transferring power but also knowledge and prosperity across the African country.

In 2015, Altaaqa Global installed a 50 MW natural gas power plant in Cameroon’s most populous city, Douala, as an immediate solution to the city’s chronic electricity shortage. The power plant added reliable power to Cameroon’s grid, and provided its people and industries with a new, reliable source of electricity.

Just as important as the power was ensuring a local team of highly trained professionals was able to oversee the operation of the power plant. Altaaqa deployed Caterpillar University, Caterpillar’s proprietary training platform, to launch a Customer Development Program. The pilot program, which will continuously run for one year, is offered to a team of select local engineers and technical professionals from Altaaqa Global’s client Eneo, Cameroon’s integrated utility provider.

The Customer Development Program

One of the key pillars of Altaaqa Global's sustainable business model is extending employment and learning opportunities to local communities where it has projects, with the aim of enhancing their skills and transferring world-class industry knowledge to the local workforce.
To facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills to Eneo’s team of local engineers and professionals, Altaaqa Global launched a tailored customer training program, in cooperation with Caterpillar University.

The program features three methods of instruction: classroom teaching, online instruction and on-the-job mentoring with Altaaqa Global’s Cat-certified in-house technicians. To encourage a better understanding of technical concepts taken up in the classroom, Altaaqa Global enrolled the Eneo engineers in Caterpillar University, which features expert-curated modules on service, safety and equipment operation.

For the purposes of the program, Altaaqa Global’s training engineers designed a learning plan that included carefully selected modules available on Caterpillar University. Considering their relevance to the participants’ tasks at site and to the engines installed for the project, the trainers hand-picked specialized courses on Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) and Engineering Service.

At the end of the year-long program, subject to the completion of all necessary on-line modules and a satisfactory performance in the final evaluation, the participants will be awarded a Level 1 Preventive Maintenance (PM) Technician certificate, and will thus be eligible to progress to second-level training. Altaaqa Global will conduct the program on a continuous basis, such that the training will be offered to every new team of engineers and technical professionals from Eneo.

Commenting on the motivation behind the training program, Peter den Boogert, CEO of Altaaqa Global, said: “In all of our projects, we provide more than electricity; we offer training and employment opportunities to locals. In fact, 95% of our site employees in our projects around the world is composed of locals.”

A commitment to sustainable progress

The training program is in accordance with Caterpillar’s sustainability strategy, which aims, among others, to promote economic and social development in areas where it operates. The company believes that an effective way to encourage sustainable social and economic progress is to educate local professionals on globally recognized industry best practices.

Against this backdrop, Kim Hauer, Caterpillar Vice President with responsibility for the Human Services Division and Chief Human Resources Officer said: “At Caterpillar, we believe in empowerment through education and transfer of knowledge. So, we work together with our global dealers, like Altaaqa Global, to provide tailored customer training solutions. Such initiatives have been proven to enhance customer efficiency, global competitiveness and help deliver sustainable progress around the world.”

Commending Altaaqa Global’s customer development initiatives, Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., said: “Altaaqa Global’s successful customer development program is a testament to the company’s commitment to support and improve the communities it serves. Altaaqa Global provides solutions that power and light the world.”

Mr. Fahad Y Zahid, Chairman of Altaaqa Global and Executive Vice President of the Zahid Group, avowed the company’s continued dedication to its mission of inspiring progress and prosperity to people, businesses and communities. “Since its inception, Altaaqa Global has looked beyond profit. We have always aimed to play an active role in spurring growth and progress not only by providing a reliable supply of electricity, but also by transferring knowledge to locals. We hope that the Customer Development Program yields a globally competitive workforce that will drive the continuous growth of Cameroon.”

Altaaqa Global and Caterpillar have produced a documentary video on the program, showcasing the effectiveness and benefits of Caterpillar’s tailored customer training solutions to dealers and customers all over the world. The video was premiered at the 2016 Africa Energy Forum in London, UK in late June, and was seen by energy ministers and other energy stakeholders from around the world.

Watch the video, here: https://youtu.be/8M5qA1Pz7Ys

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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

About Caterpillar Inc.
For 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent.  Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets.  With 2015 sales and revenues of $47.011 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.  The company principally operates through its three product segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.

http://www.caterpillar.com

About Eneo Cameroon S.A.
Cameroon’s long-term electricity operator, Eneo (formerly AES-SONEL) is a semi-public company with 56% shares owned by Actis Group and 44% by the State of Cameroon. Eneo has an installed generation capacity of 968 MW. Its transport network connects 24 substations and includes 1,944.29 km of high voltage lines, 15,081.48 km of medium voltage lines and 15,209.25 km of low voltage lines. Its distribution network consists of 11,450 km of lines of 5.5 to 33 KV and 11,158 km of lines of 220-380 kV. Eneo has more than 973,250 customers, of which approximately 45% live in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé. Eneo employs 3,698 permanent staff.

http://www.eneocameroon.cm


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Altaaqa Global y Caterpillar se unen para llevar energía a Camerún y facultar a la población local mediante el Programa de Desarrollo de Clientes

El programa, que se desarrolla mediante Caterpillar University, ayuda a solucionar el desafío de energía de Camerún y, al mismo tiempo, facilitar la transferencia de conocimientos técnicos avanzados y de ingeniería a profesionales locales con un proyecto de 50 MW de última tecnología.

DUBÁI. Altaaqa Global Caterpillar Rental Power, un proveedor mundial de soluciones temporales de energía, y Caterpillar Inc. han desarrollado una solución para uno de los mayores desafíos de Camerún: el acceso a energía fiable. Esta solución busca no solo transferir energía, sino también conocimientos y prosperidad a través del continente africano.

En 2015, Altaaqa Global instaló una central eléctrica de gas natural de 50 MW en la ciudad más poblada de Camerún, Douala, como una solución inmediata a la falta de energía crónica de la ciudad. Esta central eléctrica aportó energía fiable a la red de Camerún y proporcionó una nueva fuente de electricidad fiable a la población y las industrias.

Tan importante como la energía fue garantizar que un equipo local de profesionales altamente capacitados pudiera supervisar el funcionamiento de la central eléctrica. Altaaqa implementó Caterpillar University, la plataforma de capacitación propiedad de Caterpillar, a fin de lanzar un Programa de Desarrollo de Clientes. El programa piloto, que durará un año, se ofrece a un equipo de selectos ingenieros y profesionales técnicos locales del cliente de Altaaqa Global, Eneo, el proveedor de servicios públicos integrados de Camerún.

El Programa de Desarrollo de Clientes

Uno de los pilares clave del modelo de negocios sostenible de Altaaqa Global es extender el empleo y las oportunidades de aprendizaje a las comunidades locales donde tiene sus proyectos, con el objetivo de mejorar sus habilidades y transferir conocimiento industrial de primera clase a la fuerza de trabajo local.

A fin de facilitar la transferencia de conocimientos y habilidades al equipo de ingenieros y profesionales locales de Eneo, Altaaqa Global lanzó un programa de capacitación de clientes personalizado, en cooperación con Caterpillar University.

El programa presenta tres métodos de instrucción: la enseñanza en aulas, la instrucción en línea y la tutoría en el trabajo con técnicos internos con certificación Cat de Altaaqa Global. Con el objetivo de fomentar un mejor entendimiento de los conceptos técnicos aprendidos en clase, Altaaqa Global inscribió a los ingenieros de Eneo en Caterpillar University, que incluye módulos curados por expertos sobre operaciones de servicio, seguridad y equipos.

A los fines del programa, los ingenieros de capacitación de Altaaqa Global diseñaron un plan de aprendizaje que incluyó módulos cuidadosamente seleccionados disponibles en Caterpillar University. Tomando en cuenta su importancia para las tareas de los participantes en el sitio y para los ingenieros del proyecto, los capacitadores seleccionaron a mano cursos especializados sobre servicios de ingeniería, ambientales, de salud y de seguridad.

Al término del programa de un año, y con la condición de que finalicen todos los módulos en línea necesarios y tengan un desempeño satisfactorio en la evaluación final, se otorgará a los participantes el certificado de Técnico de Mantenimiento Preventivo, Nivel 1, y, por lo tanto, reunirán los requisitos para avanzar a la capacitación de segundo nivel. Altaaqa Global llevará a cabo el programa de manera continua, lo que significa que la capacitación se ofrecerá a cada equipo nuevo de profesionales técnicos e ingenieros de Eneo.  

En referencia a la motivación detrás del programa de capacitación, Peter den Boogert, director general de Altaaqa Global, dijo: “En todos nuestros proyectos, proporcionamos más que electricidad; ofrecemos oportunidades de empleo y capacitación a la población local. De hecho, el 95 % de nuestros empleados de planta en nuestros proyectos en todo el mundo se conforma de habitantes locales”.

Compromiso con el progreso sostenible

El programa de capacitación está en consonancia con la estrategia de sustentabilidad de Caterpillar, que tiene como objetivo, entre otros, promover el desarrollo social y económico en las zonas donde opera. La empresa cree que una manera eficaz de fomentar el progreso social y económico sostenible es educar a los profesionales locales sobre las mejores prácticas mundialmente reconocidas del sector.

En este contexto, Kim Hauer, vicepresidente de Caterpillar con responsabilidad sobre la División de Servicios Humanos y jefe de la oficina de Recursos Humanos, afirmó: “En Caterpillar, creemos en el empoderamiento mediante la educación y la transferencia de conocimientos. Es por eso que trabajamos en conjunto con nuestros distribuidores globales, como Altaaqa Global, para ofrecer soluciones personalizadas de capacitación de clientes. Se ha comprobado que estas iniciativas mejoran la eficiencia del cliente y su competitividad global y ayudan a ofrecer un progreso sostenible en todo el mundo”.

Doug Oberhelman, presidente y director general de Caterpillar Inc., elogió las iniciativas de desarrollo de clientes Altaaqa Global al afirmar: “El exitoso programa de desarrollo de clientes de Altaaqa Global evidencia el compromiso de la empresa de apoyar y mejorar las comunidades en las que presta servicio. Altaaqa Global ofrece soluciones que alimentan e iluminan el mundo”.

Mr. Fahad Y Zahid, presidente de Altaaqa Global y vicepresidente ejecutivo de Zahid Group, reconoció la dedicación continua de la empresa a su misión de inspirar el progreso y la prosperidad en las personas, las empresas y las comunidades. “Desde sus inicios, Altaaqa Global ha mirado más allá de las ganancias. Siempre hemos aspirado a desempeñar un papel importante en estimular el crecimiento y el progreso, no solamente mediante el suministro una fuente fiable de energía, sino también mediante la transferencia de conocimientos a los habitantes locales. Esperamos que el Programa de Desarrollo de Clientes produzca una fuerza laboral competitiva en todo el mundo que impulse el crecimiento continuo de Camerún”.

Altaaqa Global y Caterpillar han producido un documental sobre el programa, que muestra la eficacia y los beneficios de las soluciones personalizadas de capacitación de clientes de Caterpillar para los distribuidores y los clientes en todo el mundo. El video se estrenó en el Foro de la Energía de África 2016 en Londres, Reino Unido, a fines de junio, y fue visto por ministros de energía y otros grupos de interés energéticos de todo el mundo.

Puede ver el video aquí: https://youtu.be/8M5qA1Pz7Ys

Fin

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 opera eficaces centrales eléctricas independientes y temporales en emplazamientos de clientes, y se enfoca en los mercados emergentes de África subsahariana, Asia central, el subcontinente indio, Latinoamérica, Asia sudoriental, Oriente Medio y el norte de África. Altaaqa Global, que ofrece equipos de alquiler para generación eléctrica que funcionan con diferentes tipos de combustible, como diésel, gas natural o combustible dual, está posicionada para implementar y proporcionar rápidamente soluciones de centrales eléctricas temporales que permiten suministrar electricidad en cualquier momento y lugar según sea necesario.

http://www.altaaqaglobal.com

Acerca de Zahid Group
Zahid Group representa una diversa gama de empresas, que ofrecen soluciones completas centradas en el cliente en varios sectores florecientes. Algunos de esos sectores 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; reciclaje y gestión de desechos; y hotelería.

http://www.zahid.com

Acerca de Caterpillar Inc.
Durante 90 años, Caterpillar Inc. ha facilitado el progreso y ha impulsado cambios positivos y sostenibles en todos los continentes.  Los clientes acuden a Caterpillar para conseguir ayuda en el desarrollo de activos de infraestructura, energía y recursos naturales.  El 2015, con ventas e ingresos por un valor de $47 011 millones, Caterpillar es el mayor fabricante del mundo de equipos de construcción y minería, de motores diesel y gas natural, turbinas de gas industriales y locomotoras diésel-eléctricas.  La empresa opera principalmente mediante sus tres segmentos de productos (Resource Industries, Construction Industries y Energy & Transportation) y también proporciona financiamiento y servicios relacionados a través del segmento de Financial Products.

http://www.caterpillar.com

Acerca de Eneo Cameroon S. A.
Eneo (antes AES-SONEL), operador de electricidad a largo plazo de Camerún, es una empresa mixta: el 56 % de las acciones pertenece a Actis Group; y el 44 %, al Estado de Camerún. Eneo tiene una capacidad de generación instalada de 968 MW. Su red de transportes conecta 24 subestaciones e incluye 1.944,29 km de líneas de alta tensión; 15 081,48 km de líneas de media tensión y 15 209,25 km de líneas de baja tensión. La red de distribución consta de 11 450 km de líneas de 5,5 a 33 KV y 11 158 km de líneas de 220 a 380 kV. Eneo tiene más de 973 250 clientes, de los cuales aproximadamente el 45 % vive en las ciudades de Douala y Yaoundé. Eneo emplea a 3698 empleados permanentes.

http://www.eneocameroon.cm


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

Renting power: Keeping mines thriving through volatility

The mining industry is currently in the doldrums. As commodity prices remain stubbornly depressed, and economic recovery remains elusive for developed and emerging countries alike, mining companies are in the midst of challenging times.

Along with stagnant commodity prices, weak demand for products, low levels of economic growth in established markets, increasing stockholder pressures and employment and social issues, power supply deficit is also one of the mining industry’s most pressing hurdles. Many mine operators around the world have been facing numerous production-related challenges, owing to electricity shortages, not helped by the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon. Mining companies in Africa, for instance, particularly those located in hydropower-dependent areas, have been experiencing consistent output drops as hydroelectric power facilities fail to generate enough electricity to sustain large-scale mine operations. As a result, mining companies in Africa, established and nascent alike, are at present struggling to maintain profitable production, resulting in job cuts, tighter cash flows and limited capital expenditures.

Hiring the services of a temporary power provider can be an immediate solution to the industry’s electricity-related challenges. A continuous supply of reliable electricity is indispensable in mine operations, be it for exploration, production, climate control or site visibility, and rental power plants can instantly provide the necessary electricity as and when it is needed. Temporary power plants are readily available and are rapidly deployed anywhere in the world where electricity is urgently required. Rental power plants can be tailored to any power or voltage, and the capacity can be increased or decreased according to demand, so mine operators will be able to add additional power modules that will increase the rental power plant’s generation capacity as their operations expand and their power requirements increase.

By opting to rent power, mining companies do not need to spend scarce resources on capital purchase, which is usually required when building permanent power stations. They can also pay for the electricity produced by the hired power plants from their operating revenues. The investment that mine operators will make in hiring electricity has proven to be marginal compared to the cost of foregone business opportunities, lost production time or wasted man-hours. This factor can be very significant at the feasibility stage, when mining companies are applying for finance.

Temporary power plants are containerized, so that they can be delivered to and installed in any mining site anywhere in the world, and be operational in a matter of weeks. 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 installed and powered on in a matter of days, so power can be immediately supplied or restored.

Rental power plants are fuel efficient, and can run on diesel, natural gas, or on a combination of the two. Modern natural 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 mining industry, not only in Africa but also in other parts of the world, is going through tough times prompted by natural and economic circumstances. Hiring electricity can give mine operators a sustainable competitive advantage. It can provide operational flexibility, enhance a site’s productivity and help optimize its processes without the need for a long lead time and a sizeable capital expenditure. Instead of acting in exasperation and fear of the future, and getting lost in a web of operational minutiae, mining companies should draw ideas from allied industries, and give premium to innovation and imaginative solutions.

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Power Up! Q&A with Altaaqa Global's Julian Ford

The February 2016 issue of Construction Machinery Middle East featured the major players in the power projects sphere, including Altaaqa Global. Julian Ford, Chief Commercial Officer, spoke about the challenging industry and shared his insights on the sector's outlook.

What is the background of Altaaqa Global? 

What ‘market gap’ did you set up to target? 

In 2004, Saudi conglomerate Zahid Group formed Altaaqa Alternative Solutions in Saudi Arabia to provide temporary power services to the country. It has grown to be the largest Caterpillar power generation fleet owner in the world, and the premier rental power services provided in the Kingdom.
With the desire to replicate the success of Altaaqa Alternative Solutions on a global scale, Zahid entered into a Global Power Projects (GPP) agreement with Caterpillar and formed Altaaqa Global in 2012. Altaaqa Global was appointed by Caterpillar to deliver multi-megawatt turnkey rental power projects around the world.

Since then, we have widened our geographic coverage, opening branches in Bangalore, India; Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa. We have also secured several contracts in key regions across the globe, including the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which market segments do you operate in? 

Altaaqa Global owns, mobilizes, installs and operates large-scale rental power plants tailored to customers’ specific applications. We are in the position to rapidly deploy fuel efficient, scalable and reliable multi-megawatt temporary power plant solutions.

Our technologies find application in a wide range of industries, including utility power generation, utility power transmission & distribution, mining, oil & gas, petrochemicals & refineries, government & NGO services, ports & harbours, and process industries.

What’s your current fleet size? 

Altaaqa Global and Altaaqa Alternative Solutions have a combined fleet power capacity in excess of 1,600 MW. The fleet includes generators running on diesel, natural gas or a combination of the two.

Being part of the global Caterpillar dealer network, we also have access to the power generation fleet of our co-dealers anywhere in the world, giving us exceptional fleet capability and flexibility to meet even the largest customer demands.  

Julian Ford, Chief Commercial Officer, Altaaqa Global

You’re supported by Caterpillar dealers around the world. 

What does this mean in practice when it 

comes to mobilising for a big project?  

In addition to our own in-house capabilities, as an authorized Caterpillar dealer, Altaaqa Global has access to the wide range of technical, engineering, logistical and service/maintenance resources of other Caterpillar dealers around the world.

In mobilizing for a project, for instance, we may tap the power generation resources, technical & engineering expertise and logistical facilities of the local Caterpillar dealers where we operate, or of any Caterpillar dealer around the world. We also have access to locally available parts and can call for local maintenance service or technical support. Thanks to this synergy, we are able to provide for a quick and efficient installation of power plants and ongoing support for projects anywhere in the world.

What sort of relationship do you have with Caterpillar’s product development team, when it comes to providing feedback on existing products, modifying your current fleet, or wishlists for new product development? 

As an authorized Caterpillar dealer, we work closely with the Caterpillar product development team to share perspectives of customer requirements in the power rental business. In this way, we expect to further improve our already-competitive position to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

How popular are your gas-driven solutions in the Middle East? Do you see this product sector growing? What are some of the constraints on this sector, and will they be overcome in the foreseeable future? 

Though it is expected that the diesel generator market will continue to grow and that diesel will remain the preferred fuel in the next several years, we are noticing the gradual growth of the natural gas and dual-fuel generator market as natural gas becomes available. The growth of the market is supported by the increase in unconventional gas resources in many countries not only in the Middle East but also in other parts of the world, and by the lower operating cost afforded by running power plants on gas or gas-diesel combination.

In the past, fuel availability and the costs of installing safe and reliable fuel delivery infrastructure have hampered the growth of the natural gas generator market. Today, gas is becoming increasingly available and gas generation technologies progressively find 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 overcome these obstacles.

You’ve said that you want to be ‘the leading and the most preferred temporary power solutions provider before year 2020’. What are some of the industry chances you see coming over the next five years? How do you make sure to ‘future proof’ your business? 

The role of temporary power has evolved from being a local, short-term, transactional activity to a major global project-based industry. It is no longer uncommon to see power plants of 100 MW and up being rented on a longer-term basis. We expect that the diesel generator market will continue to thrive, and that the natural gas market will continue to gain traction.

To keep abreast of the opportunities in the coming years, we will continue to hone a highly skilled, motivated & experienced, world-class, power projects team. At Altaaqa Global, we strive 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.

Do you see any likely trends in the power projects sector as a result of oil companies looking to trim costs?

While the fact that the prevailing oil price makes generators cheaper to run is an advantage in theory, we have to remember that the requirement for generators is proportional to the rate of economic activity. At present, the prices of oil and commodities are suppressed, and this is having a negative impact on the interest on power generation services. We, however, expect the industry to rebound quickly as and when economic conditions improve.  

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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.

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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

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

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

Sub-Sahara: A Case for Cautious Optimism

Africa’s notable economic growth story is generating excitement among global investors. The continent that has long been identified with stagnation, poverty and elevated risk is now catching the eyes of entities looking for a fertile land to grow their businesses on. According to a document, titled “Africa at a Crossroads”, produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Sub-Saharan economies are expected to achieve growth rates of more than six per cent in the next decade, surpassing the estimated average of any other region in the world.

The onus is now on the Sub-Saharan economies to capitalize on the economic growth at hand. Experts unanimously say that the foremost factor that can further accelerate the growth of the region’s economy is infrastructure development. If the regional economy aims to compete with the established and stable markets of other regions, it will need access to reliable and sustainable energy supply, and dependable communications and transportation lines that would allow for smooth and cost-efficient movement of goods and services.

Bringing power to the mining sector

The mining industry is a key contributor to the growth of the Sub-Saharan economy. One of the foremost economic drivers of most of the region’s countries, the industry has the potential to attract a significant number of foreign investors, largely owing to the huge amount of resources naturally available in Sub-Saharan countries.

After the large-scale energy shortage in South Africa in 2008, the region’s mining sector was compelled to make inroads into self-sufficiency. With the introduction of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program and other similar programs in other countries, and the growing popularity and availability of wind turbines and solar panels, mining companies gradually embraced alternative energy generation facilities to support their electricity requirements.

The initiatives of African mining companies to establish local power generation systems are laudable. Wind, solar and thermal energy facilities, however, may encounter operational challenges that may cause its production to recede in certain instances. Without the primary sources of energy, the output of the plants may not be sufficient to supply for the mining operation’s electricity needs. The effects of these predicaments to the productivity of the sites may result in huge losses for the companies that have heavily invested in the facilities.

In times when both the permanent large-scale and the local energy supplies are unreliable, mining companies may find merit in tapping the potential of rental power plants. Temporary power plants are capable of providing a viable supply of energy in times when existing electricity generation facilities are challenged by overwhelming demand. Rental generator sets represent supplemental electrical energy sources while the permanent power generation facilities are being constructed, repaired or maintained. Temporary energy systems are cost-effective alternative solutions to seasonal energy insufficiency, as mining or utility companies will not need to shell out a sizable initial investment to have them running, as opposed to building permanent power plants that will only be used sparingly.

Owing to the flexibility of its core technology, rental power plants are able to provide electricity as required by the users. This feature allows customers to ramp up or scale down the supply of power as needed. Due to their modularity, temporary power stations can be transported from a yard wherever in the world to practically anywhere. This attribute can be of particular interest to mining companies, as their operations are usually located in remote areas. By virtue of their plug-and-play configuration, interim power plants can be installed and turned on in a matter of days. During times of interrupted production or emergency cases, rental power stations can immediately restore electricity without considerable latency.

Power is within reach

Investors in the mining industry describe the present situation of the sector as “full of cautious optimism”. They are optimistic because despite present energy issues in the industry, mining companies are determined and willing to surmount the impediments to the growth of the industry. On the other hand, investors are not letting their guards down as they would want to see the will of the industry converted into practical programs.

The mining industry plays a major role in the development and growth of the Sub-Saharan economy. To further encourage the development of the regional economy, the industry needs to resolve energy-related problems that are still hounding its operations. The solutions currently on offer give the industry the power to translate their determination to tangible, sustainable electrification programs that may restore the full confidence of transformative investors throughout the world.

*This article was originally published in the April 2015 issue of African Review magazine, published by Alain Charles Publishing.*

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Robert Bagatsing

Altaaqa Global

Tel: +971 56 1749505

rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Altaaqa Global recebe louvores em cerimônia britânica de premiação

A empresa foi altamente recomendada para o Energy Excellence Award no Energy Institute Awards, Londres, RU, de 2014

A Altaaqa Global, fornecedora global de soluções temporárias de energia, foi altamente recomendada para o Energy Excellence Award pela instalação, de 23 dias de uma usina de energia de 54 MW em Aden, Yemen, no Energy Institute Awards de 2014, realizado no dia 13 de novembro no Sheraton Park Lane Hotel em Londres. Com sua entrada, intitulada “Reconstruindo uma nação devastada pela guerra”, a Altaaqa Global foi pré-selecionada para o prêmio entre um grupo estelar de indicados, incluindo a Associação Internacional de Produtores de Petróleo e Gás, o Ministério da Defesa do Reino Unido e indústrias agregadas e de energia aberta.

O Energy Excellence Award tem o objetivo de reconhecer excelentes feitos no setor de energia, celebrando novas ideias e a solução de problemas inovadora e estratégica. Para se qualificar para o prêmio, uma empresa ou a realização de um projeto deve ter tido um grande impacto em todas as áreas do setor. Como disseram os organizadores, o prêmio abrange todas as outras categorias, e representa o auge da realização no setor de energia.

Comentando a respeito evento, Peter den Boogert, gerente geral da Altaaqa Global, disse, “estamos orgulhosos, mas humildes por sermos reconhecidos pelo órgão de energia de maior prestígio no Reino Unido. Esse reconhecimento é um testemunho do trabalho árduo que os funcionários e funcionárias da Altaaqa Global depositaram no projeto, enfrentando instabilidade de segurança e as condições climáticas mais rigorosas. Além disso, nós estendemos nossa sincera gratidão aos engenheiros local do Yemen que trabalharam conosco na realização desse projeto histórico.”

Majid Zahid, diretor de contas estratégicas da Altaaqa Global, atribuiu a realização ao povo de Aden, Yemen: “Nós compartilhamos da distinção com o povo do Yemen, incluindo os líderes do país, que confiaram em nós, fornecendo a eletricidade necessária enquanto reconstruíam sua nação. Esse projeto se deparou com uma série de desafios, mas nós conseguimos, com sua fé e esperança, a força e a tenacidade para continuar. Além disso, esse projeto não teria sido tão significativo sem a resposta positiva que o povo do Yemen demonstrou com relação a nossas campanhas de conservação e uso eficiente de energia.”

Steven Meyrick, representante da diretoria da Altaaqa Global, disse que esse reconhecimento pode encorajar ainda mais a empresa a aprimorar seus processos e assumir projetos que quebrem as barreiras da ingenuidade da engenharia: “Esse louvor do Energy Institute fundamenta as etapas progressivas que a Altaaqa Global vem realizando em direção à obtenção de metas altamente ambiciosas que estabelecemos para nós mesmos. Continuaremos desafiando a nós mesmos em cada projeto que assumirmos para aproveitar a inovação que introduzimos no passado.”

O projeto de 54 MW da Altaaqa Global em Aden, Yemen, foi instalado e concluído enquanto o país se recuperava dos efeitos da Primavera Árabe. Construída em apenas 23 dias, a usina de energia temporária conseguia fornecer eletricidade para mais de 500 mil pessoas. O sucesso do projeto levou o governo do Yemen a adicionar 50 MW à instalação existente, levando a capacidade total da estação de energia a 104 MW.

Para ler mais sobre o evento: http://bit.ly/14tYdd6

Fim

Sobre a Altaaqa Global

A Altaaqa Global, uma subsidiária do Grupo Zahid, foi selecionada pela Caterpillar Inc. para distribuir soluções elétricas completas e temporárias de muitos megawatts em todo o mundo. A companhia possui, mobiliza, instala e opera usinas elétricas eficientes independentes temporárias (IPPs, Independent Power Plants) 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 que pode operar com diferentes tipos de combustíveis, como diesel, gás natural ou bicombustível, a Altaaqa Global está posicionada para fornecer e implementar rapidamente soluções com centrais elétricas temporárias, fornecendo eletricidade sempre e onde quer que seja necessário. 

http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/press-media/press-releases 

Sobre o Grupo Zahid

O Grupo Zahid representa uma gama diversa de empresas que oferecem soluções abrangentes e centradas no cliente em vários setores em expansão. Algumas dessas atividades incluem construção; 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 hotelaria. 

http://www.zahid.com/ 

INFORMAÇÕES À IMPRENSA

Robert Bagatsing

Altaaqa Global

Tel: +971 56 1749505

rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com 

PEDIDOS DE LEITORES

Altaaqa Global

Departamento de Vendas

P.O. Box 262989 

Dubai, Emirados Árabes

Mobile Gensets for Renewable Energy Sources

Rising above the electricity-related challenges that have hounded the country for decades, India is now said to have the fifth-largest power generation portfolio and is regarded the fifth largest wind energy producer in the world. As a response to the observed electricity supply shortage in India, feared to worsen as months of peak consumption draw near, power generation from renewable sources are currently being maximized and optimized to support the country’s permanent traditional energy facilities. In 2013, for example, the share of renewable power in India’s total energy mix stood at 12.3%, up from 7.8% in 2012. Wind power accounted for the lion’s share of the renewable energy generation figure, at 68% and an installed capacity of 19.1 GW.

Recognizing the merits of harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources, the government of India has launched various initiatives to encourage efforts to transition from fossil-based energy options, including offering tax holidays and generation-based incentives or GBIs. The benefits of renewable energy sources are gradually being recognized by different sectors of society, and as the government opened renewable energy projects to foreign and local venture and investment, alternative power generation technologies are seen to have a bright roadmap ahead.

Though renewable energy sources are seeing much support from the government, citizens and investors alike, energy industry professionals observe that renewable technologies have so much more potential to be developed. First, at the policy level, experts suggest the fortification of renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) to drive the demand for electricity from renewable energy sources. They are also advocating a more intense motivation to construct power transmission infrastructure, so more electricity generated by alternative energy sources reaches the grid.

At the technology level, renewable power sources have much room to be enhanced. As we speak, research and development efforts are being taken to improve on their performance predictability and dependability, despite the fact that their “fuels” (such as water, wind or sunlight) depend on natural conditions, which could not be controlled or completely projected.

As renewable technologies are being planned, constructed or augmented, and are still in diffusion to more communities and industrial areas in India, other alternative technologies can supplement them, bridging the gap in power supply and electricity demand. It has been documented that a 50 MW wind farm, for example, can be built in six months, and if one factors in the time needed for planning, designing, and receiving necessary approvals and permits, a wind farm may be operational after only a year or so. During the months when wind farms (or any other renewable energy facility for that matter) are not yet operational, mobile generator sets have the capacity to temporarily provide power to the communities planned to be beneficiaries of renewable energy.

Temporary generators are cost-effective immediate solution to power supply shortages and instability, which do not require a huge initial capital to acquire and install. Because rental gensets are modular and flexible, interim power stations can be installed in most places where renewable energy facilities find applications. Owing to their adaptive configuration, temporary gensets can be easily installed and commissioned, and can be run in as little time as a few days. Additionally, as they are containerized and have relatively small dimensions, mobile generators can be delivered from any point in the world to another.

With the support of temporary power plants, the perceived limitations of renewable sources of energy can be surmounted, and the deficit in supply of power can be filled. As renewable facilities ramp up their reliability and predictability, interim power stations can provide a viable and sustainable supply of power when needed and as needed by communities and industrial facilities in India. Alternative power sources, when enhanced and properly utilized, have the capacity to support permanent traditional sources of electricity to avoid further energy outages and load shedding, and to extend the coverage of the electricity supply even to the most remote communities and industries in India.

*The foregoing article was originally published in the September 2014 edition of The Energy Outlook, India.*

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

Bringing Power To Africa’s Mining Industry

Experts herald the mining industry as the light of Africa’s future. With the prevailing power deficiency, however, will the roadmap ahead be dim? Robert Bagatsing Marketing Manager; Peter den Boogert, General Manager and Majid Zahid, Strategic Accounts Director, of Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power provide the answer.

The tenacity that Africa has shown in the face of the recent economic crisis is nothing short of commendable. If numbers from the African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook for 2014 are any indication, the continent’s future looks bright. Experts forecast growth rates of 4.8% in 2014 and 5.7% in 2015, and financial in-flows in the area of USD 200 billion.

Playing a major role in Africa’s notable economic performance is the mining industry, widely regarded as one of the chief pillars of the African economy – and not without reason. The mineral industry in Africa is one of the largest in the world, riding high on the continent’s vast 30-million-square-kilometer land area. Africa is richly endowed with mineral reserves, including bauxite, cobalt, diamond, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals (PGM), vermiculite and zirconium. Naturally, gold mining is the African mining industry’s bread and butter.

The world sees the enormous size of Africa’s mining territory, but much of the continent’s potential still remains unearthed. Experts say that a considerable percentage of Africa’s precious metal reserves are underexplored, owing to several financial and operational motivations, among which is the observed lack of dependable, viable and sustainable power. For instance, in a recent release, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has advised mining companies to suspend any expansion plans or contractual modifications that would require extra power until further notice, in an effort to control the country’s demand for energy. The foregoing initiative from the government may have its benefits in the context of energy conservation, but it may definitely create economic and social deviations in the operations of the mining companies.

In light of this recent conundrum, from the prism of transitivity, a shortage in power supply could mean lost opportunities. With the postponement of mining expansion projects, additional mineral reserves, which could mean additional sources of revenue for operators, will remain unexplored for a longer period of time. A deficiency in energy could mean lost time, as plans that took years to finalize have already been chalked up, only to be discarded or shelved. A deficit in electricity could mean lost employment and income, as halting a project could lead to retrenchment.

With mining playing a major role in most of the African economies, an insufficiency in energy, leading to suspended operations, may have catastrophic wide-scale economic repercussions. Looking back in 2008, blackouts in the Republic of South Africa halted Anglo American, Impala Platinum Holdings and Harmony Gold Mining mines for five days – an incident that spelt a notable difference in the companies’ and in the country’s growth rates that year. A repeat of this predicament would imperil South Africa’s present economic projections, and in this day and age when economies no longer exist in a vacuum, particularly in Africa, where there is remarkable interdependence, a slight drop in one country’s economy may set off a domino effect.

The effects of load shedding on mining operations

In a recent communication, Eskom, the largest producer of electricity in Africa, announced that power cuts could potentially take effect if the surge in power demand in South Africa could not be tapered. This, according to industry experts, might bring about negative operational and financial consequences to mining companies. Mining consultants estimated that the rotational load shedding could result in losses in the area of millions of SAR (South African Rand) a day. Though efforts are being taken to ensure that production would continue in most of the mines around the country, studies pointed to the fact that the deepest underground mines, touted to be the largest employers in the mining industry in South Africa, would be most affected by load shedding. While this happened in South Africa, the same adverse effects to mining operations should be expected had the load shedding happened elsewhere.

Making a difference with power

Before looking at possible solutions to Africa’s power woes, let us take a closer look at the anatomy of a power deficit. An electricity shortage may be caused by multitudinous reasons, including major planned or unplanned power plant facility refurbishment, a sudden spike in electricity demand, unstable electrical grid, emergency situations, turnaround and peak lopping or shaving, among others. In cases such as these, mining companies may opt to hire temporary power plants such to instantly supply viable and sustainable electricity to their facilities for an uninterrupted operation. Cost-benefit studies conducted across different mining facilities around the world show that the cost of renting interim power generation plants is marginal compared to the economic and financial impact that delays or suspension could bring to operations.

In other cases, mining operations that have localised electricity generation facilities, for instance, may experience energy shortage during summer or winter months, when there is a need to dedicate electricity for climate control. Without supplementary power, mining facilities could not meet the seasonal energy requirement, making the production environment unsuitable for working. Studies show that days with extreme temperature aberration are few in a year, thus mining facilities are discouraged to devote permanent power generation facilities solely for this purpose. This, therefore, makes a strong case for employing rental power plants, which is not as capital intensive as constructing a new, dedicated permanent power generation facility.

Interim power facilities, like the solutions offered by Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power, a global provider of temporary energy solutions, could spell the difference between lost opportunities and breakthrough. Because Altaaqa Global’s solutions are flexible and scalable, they can be employed in a wide range of applications, be they underground mines, open-pit mines or ore processing facilities. As the company’s products are customizable in size, capacity and, even, in cost, they can be rented by large international mining corporations and smaller regional or local aggregates producers, quarry operators or miners. Thanks to Altaaqa Global’s extensive product range, the company can address any requirement, including the need for standby power, prime power, continuous power, load lopping, peak shaving, or for utility power distribution.

Altaaqa Global’s offerings could spell the difference between lost time and progress. The company has a stellar record in providing interim power generators where needed, when needed, even at a moment’s notice. With Altaaqa Global’s industry-proven experience and reliability, the company has delivered executable, measurable and sustainable solutions to myriad projects across the Middle East and Africa. Owing to the availability of spare parts and expert teams on the ground, Altaaqa Global has proven that it can provide after-sales support to installed and commissioned projects at any given location, at any given time.

Altaaqa Global’s presence could spell the difference between lost jobs and success. The company has an avowed corporate social responsibility program, one of which tenet is to alleviate the social challenges of where it operates through providing job opportunities, extending educational assistance and conducting awareness campaigns on energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Not only could Altaaqa Global’s products ensure the continuous operations of mining projects, thus of one’s employment, the company actually employs competent and talented locals in areas where it sets up its facilities.

The future, electrified 

As one of the cornerstones of the African economy, the mining industry deserves a keen attention, particularly in light of the looming power insufficiency. Experts say that Africa’s future is crucially anchored on the mining industry, and for this reason, stakeholders in the mining industry, including the governments, the operators and the investors, are investing thought, labour and money to keep the sector thriving. Permanent power generation facilities, which could provide a long-term solution to the continent’s power woes, are gaining ground in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, but their fruition could take some time. While these are in progress, mining companies could opt to rent interim power generation facilities, which are capable of satisfying urgent requirements in a considerably shorter time, precluding disastrous repercussions of operational delays and suspension.

Post-scriptum: Power Solutions for Power Problems

As a response to the looming power supply instability, governments in the Sub-Saharan Africa are mapping out alternative power generation projects, which end is to supply more energy in the long haul. In DRC, for instance, the Grand Inga hydroelectric project, forecast to add 44,000 MW to the country’s power supply, is said to be underway, while in Zimbabwe, upgrades to the Kariba South hydropower and the Hwange thermal coal plants are well in the pipeline. South Africa is keenly looking at Kusile and Medupi coal-fired power stations, with each plant expected to have a generating gross capacity of nearly 4,800 MW.

*The foregoing article was originally published in the Electra Mining Africa Preview Supplement, produced by Creamer Media, South Africa.*

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

Solar power is buoyant…literally

The world’s largest floating solar power plants are underway.

Did you know that Japan is currently building two gigantic solar power plants that are to be operational by April of 2015? Seems like the limitation of available land in the country is no match for Japanese ingenuity.

According to reports, solar panel firm Kyocera, Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation and Ciel Terre have announced a collaboration to build a total of 30 floating solar power plants, capable of generating a combined 60 MW of power. As per a joint release, the first of these plants will have 1.7 MW of power capacity, making it what is believed to be the largest floating solar power plant in the world. The solar power station will be placed on the surface of Nishihira pond in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, and the construction activities are said to start this month (September). 

On the other hand, the second solar plant is said to have a capacity of 1.2 MW and is planned to be built on Dongping pond.

Based on industry studies, the two solar power plants as specified will have enough capacity to power anywhere between 483 and 967 American homes, based on their present energy demands.

The thought of building floating solar power plants is fast gaining traction, as they are expected to have lower temperatures (because they are on water) and are seen to be more efficient. In fact, India has also been cited to have invested in floating solar panels.

Onwards to an energy-secure world

The attention that countries are affording the issue of energy security is heightened, as the calamitous effects of the ever-increasing demand for electricity are gradually being felt. Recent news items reveal that rotating blackouts are being experienced in certain cities, even regions, in the world, and that more people are suffering from power interruptions due to the inability of electric facilities to satisfy the demand. As the world’s oil reserves recede, owing to the greater rate of consumption, the situation is only expected to worsen. 

The increasing popularity, acceptance and establishment of renewable energy sources, like solar in this case, greatly help the cause of global energy security. As years pass, and as more attributes of renewable energy sources are discovered, alternative power technologies will only prove to be better, more efficient and wider in reach. 

As renewable energy systems are optimized, other alternative power sources, like rental power plants, can support their present electricity generation capacity. When renewable facilities are still not able to support the existing power requirement, mobile power stations can fill in the gap in supply and ensure a viable and sustainable source of power. Being modular, scalable and affordable, temporary energy facilities pose no challenge in terms of delivery and installation, operation or procurement.

Renewable energy technologies need to be allowed to develop. Often criticized for their perceived lack of dependability and predictability, these sources are currently being studied and improved so their users can reap maximum benefits from them. The process will take time, but with the support of other alternative energy technologies, renewable energy facilities will sooner than later come of age.  

PRESS INQUIRIES

Robert Bagatsing

Altaaqa Global

Tel: +971 56 1749505

rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com