Divide and Conquer: How Decentralized Power Generation Can Alleviate Sub-Saharan Africa’s Electricity Challenges

Decentralized power facilities, sources that generate electricity much closer to the consumers, are touted to be vital in improving Sub-Saharan Africa’s power supply situation. We take a close look at their benefits.

It has been highlighted, time and again, that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to close to a billion people without access to reliable electricity. The region’s electricity challenges may be attributed to several factors, most notably to insufficient connectivity particularly in rural areas, and intermittent power supply.

A recent study by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, illustrates that only 45% of rural areas enjoys access to the electric grid across 36 African countries considered. In fact, countries like Burundi, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Niger, Guinea, Liberia and Mali have extended the electricity grid to only a third or less of their territories. The inadequate grid extension and connectivity is stark in the West and East African countries, and in a number of Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

But, even as various areas in Sub-Saharan Africa are connected to national power network, they are still not guaranteed to receive a constant reliable supply of electricity. For instance, 14% of grid-connected consumers in South Africa, 44% in Zimbabwe, 33% in Zambia, 23% in Botswana, 19% in Namibia and 15% in Kenya, say they still suffer from regular power outages and load shedding. This can be largely attributed to inadequate power generation, high transmission losses, and limitations in power distribution.

A case for Decentralized Power

Decentralized power generation systems can help countries in Sub-Saharan Africa alleviate their present power generation and transmission challenges. Several technologies can be implemented as a decentralized power generation system, including solar, wind, hydro, and temporary power plants running on diesel or gas.

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Decentralized power generation systems will prove beneficial on several levels to Sub-Saharan African countries. Below are some of the highlight advantages of decentralized power generation technologies:

Flexibility

Decentralized power generation systems, like rental power plants, can be easily mobilized, installed and operated anywhere in the world, even in the remote areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. They can even be installed in areas without sub-stations, and can be directly connected to the grid regardless of its quality or age.

They can be completed and powered on in a matter of days, and can be rapidly demobilized once the area of service is already connected to the permanent centralized power plant. They do not require a huge upfront investment, and as such, do not have long payback periods. Instead, governments or power utility providers can pay for the rented electricity in regular intervals over a contracted term.

An example is Altaaqa Global’s natural gas temporary power plants in Douala, Cameroon, which were installed and powered on in as little as 21 days from the time the equipment arrived at the intended sites. The power plants, because they comprised modular and containerized power equipment, were easily delivered from the point of origin in the Middle East, to the port in Douala, to the power plant sites, and were successfully installed despite space limitation.

The power plants have been consistently producing a combined 50 MW since they were turned on, easing the pressure on the main grid and reducing electricity demand at peak times. They have been instrumental in lessening the power supply deficiency and reducing the instances of load shedding in Douala.

Scalability

Temporary power plants, as a decentralized power generation system, are highly scalable in that their output can be increased or decreased depending on the prevailing requirement. The power provider can simply add or subtract generators to or from the power plants to customize their output. The result is that the rental power plants generate the exact amount of electricity as demanded, so the power plants do not inefficiently run on part-load, and that the governments or the power utility providers do not pay for unutilized capacity.

Diversity

As above, there are several technologies that can be implemented as decentralized power generations systems. The good news is these technologies may complement each other to ensure their efficiency and reliability. For example, temporary diesel or gas power plants can support solar or wind energy sources at times when sunshine or wind is insufficient to produce the desired amount of electricity. Rental power plants can also take up the electricity load during low-rain or dry seasons, when the hydropower systems have limitations in producing electricity.

Efficiency and Reliability

The US Energy Information Administration reports that up to 7% of the electricity generated by central power plants is lost in transmission and distribution. Turning to decentralized power generation technologies, like temporary power plants, can reduce the transmission and distribution losses because they are installed nearer to the consumers.

Moreover, rental power plants are regularly serviced and maintained by trained and qualified service engineers and technicians, and monitored and evaluated by competent certification bodies so their optimal energy performance and reliability is guaranteed.

For instance, Altaaqa Global’s 50 MW natural gas power plants in Cameroon have recently been awarded an ISO 50001:2011 certification for energy performance, making Altaaqa Global the first and only rental power company to have received the recognition. The plaudit was a testament to the power plants’ energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and environmental stewardship.

In addition to the above, decentralized power generation technologies can support various environmental initiatives in vigor in several Sub-Saharan African countries due to their environmental conscious operations. As a case-in point, temporary power plants running on natural gas comply with worldwide emission standards, while solar or wind power sources are completely renewable and contribute in conserving natural energy resources.

For example, Altaaqa Global’s natural gas temporary power plants in Cameroon was handpicked by Eneo to support its existing power facilities, owing to their reliability, energy efficiency and environmental consciousness, which perfectly fits Cameroon’s sustainable energy initiatives.

Electricity and Africa’s Development Agenda

As an emerging region, Sub-Saharan Africa needs electricity to support its economic priorities and other development areas. At present, even as the economic focus of governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are in areas directly related to basic issues of livelihood (employment, healthcare, water supply and agriculture), they are gradually working on various initiatives to ensure the region’s energy future. While their long-terms plans are coming to fruition, decentralized electricity technologies, like rental power plants, can supplement existing centralized power facilities to provide the electricity when and where needed.

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A Defiant Stance: MENA’s Continued Investment in Oil & Gas

Amidst concerns of superfluity and suppressed prices, approximately USD 294 billion of oil, gas and petrochemical projects are said to be underway across the MENA region

The persistently low oil prices, not helped by the observed conflict in certain parts of the region, has weighed heavily on the economic prospect of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The International Monetary Fund forecasts the overall growth of the region for this year and the next to be in the area of a mere 3.2%.

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But, amidst the depressing economic projection, concerns of superfluity and stubbornly suppressed prices, approximately USD 294 billion of oil, gas and petrochemical projects are said to still be underway across the MENA region.

Spotlight: Select Regional Developments in the Oil & Gas Sector

Investment in oil & gas operations remains to be a crucial focus of oil producers in the MENA region to meet exponentially rising energy demands and to replace consumed or depleted natural resources.
As a case in point, let us take a close look at major oil & gas developments brewing in the region.

Driven by its objective to expand is gas capacity, the UAE is now looking to develop new sour gas reservoirs. This is said to include major projects in the Bab and Hail fields, as well as the expansion of the Shah gas field.

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Saudi Arabia is home to two of the region’s largest oil & gas projects underway: Sabic’s oil-to-chemicals project and Aramco’s integrated refinery and petrochemicals development, both in Yanbu. Additionally, Aramco is said to be planning to pour in USD 334 billion into its oil & gas activities by 2025. The world’s largest oil & gas company is reportedly keen at looking at expanding its gas capacity, which includes the development of non-associated gas fields in the Gulf and expanding shale gas production in the north.

Saudi Arabia is also reportedly planning to list Saudi Aramco in the stock market, with an IPO that values the company at a staggering USD 2 trillion.

For its part, Kuwait is expected to invest USD 115 billion on energy projects over the next several years to help enhance crude production capacity, keeping in mind its target of four million barrels a day by 2020.

A Time of Conviction with Caution

It is clear that oil producers and allied stakeholders in the MENA region remain undaunted by the bleak market outlook and the headwinds blowing against the global oil & gas sector. Looking at the slew of oil & gas projects in the pipeline, it is not difficult to see the region’s conviction to satisfy domestic and international energy demands, achieve energy production objectives, and maintain its role as the world’s premier energy resource provider.

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But in these economically trying times, it is essential for oil & gas companies in the MENA region to practice caution by controlling costs while capitalizing on expansion prospects and profitable opportunities. Oil & gas companies in the region, the likes of the UAE’s Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), should ensure the efficient utilization of their working capital while the industry is still on its way to recovery.

One area of operation where oil & gas companies can make significant adjustments to their capital expenditure is power generation.

While electricity remains one of the most important components of an oil & gas operation, regional oil producers do not have to confine themselves with devoting a significant portion of their scarce capital to a major expenditure, like a permanent power plant. Instead of building their own power generation facility, oil & gas companies can choose to hire temporary power plants.

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By turning to rental power, oil & gas companies can have a consistent, dependable and sufficient supply of electricity throughout the lifecycle of their operations without the need to strap a large portion of their funds to a permanent facility. Temporary power plants can adequately provide for the power needs of various processes of an oil and gas operation, from exploration and extraction, through to development and processing.

Aside from savings in capital expenditure, renting power will also have an impact on the allocation of funds for an oil & gas project. Regional oil majors, such as the Iraq’s North Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, will welcome the fact that payment schedules for the rented power are fixed and regular over a contracted term. This will help them in formulating accurate financial forecasts.

Moreover, a complete rental power service includes all ancillary and spare parts, as well as expert on-site engineers and technicians. This means that oil & gas companies will be shielded from additional costs that come with building a permanent power plant, and that they no longer have to hire, train or re-allocate staff members to manage the power plant.

For more information on rental power for oil & gas operations, visit: http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/industries/oil-gas

Bucking the Trend

In defiance of growth forecasts and of the impacts of global oversupply that prompted a sharp fall in oil prices since 2014, oil producers in the MENA region have been continuously investing in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector. While global oil & gas spend is expected to continue to decline, oil producers in the MENA region are looking to buck the trend and to continue pouring funds into the industry to maintain capacity and fulfill ambitious production targets. But while the oil & gas sector is still regaining its old glory, regional industry stakeholders are expected to restrain their aggression with a bit of caution.

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Sources consulted:

http://timesofoman.com/article/103194/Business/Energy/Middle-East-to-invest-$294b-in-oil-and-gas-projects

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2016/10/19/middle-east-economic-prospects/#8be515c1d7bb

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/101515/biggest-oil-producers-middle-east.asp

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Middle-East-Oil-Gas-Investment-Surges-To-294-Billion.html

http://altaaqaglobal.blogspot.ae/2017/01/the-latest-mining-industry-trends.html

A Case for Distributed Power Systems in Southeast Asia

The observed inadequacy in the region’s current electricity infrastructure have prompted Southeast Asian countries to find power solutions in various forms of distributed power generation

Rapid economic development, a continuous growth in population, and increased domestic and foreign investments across key industries have all contributed to the remarkable increase in Southeast Asia’s power consumption in recent years. The region’s power demand has risen by 2.5 times in the past 20 years, and by 2040, Southeast Asia’s electricity requirements is likely to triple, for which an additional power generation capacity of approximately 400 GW is said to be required.

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In the interest of maintaining a healthy economy and attracting further foreign investment and activities, countries in Southeast Asia have ramped up their spending in infrastructure, including in roads, railways, and residential and commercial facilities. This, among other factors, has caused the region’s power demand to exponentially expand. And while Southeast Asian governments and allied stakeholders are also funding the building of new or the refurbishment of existing power facilities to support long-term electricity requirements, the current shortage in power supply within the region, not helped by constrained transmission and distribution facilities, is making it challenging to satisfy the immediate electricity demand.

The observed inadequacy in the current power infrastructure, delays in the construction of permanent power generation facilities, and the heightened need to fulfill the region’s immediate power requirements have prompted Southeast Asian countries to find solutions in distributed power generation. 

Distributed Power Generation in Southeast Asia

According to global research and consulting firm Frost and Sullivan, the overall installed capacity of the distributed power generation market in Southeast Asia is in the area of 20,450 MW in 2015, which can scale up to 34,747 MW by 2020.

Among the countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam are considered to be high-potential territories for distributed power based on market potential and available resources. For instance, in the Philippines and Indonesia, distributed power generation facilities can rapidly bring power to provinces that are currently not connected to the countries’ national grids due to isolation and remoteness. While in Myanmar, distributed power generation systems can provide electricity to smaller load centers, considering that the country’s overall electrification rate is only 26% and the transmission line losses stands at 25%.

Moreover, more than 60% of the land in Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam are greatly suitable for large-scale solar farms, with substantial irradiance levels between 1,200 kWh/m2/year and 2,000 kWh/m2/year. Overall, Southeast Asia is touted to have an annual global horizontal irradiance ranging from 1,200 kWh/m2 to 1,800 kWh/m2, making the region highly ideal for developing solar power plants.

Key Types of Distributed Power Systems Installed in Southeast Asia

The key types of distributed power facilities installed in the region include biomass and waste-to-power, solar photovoltaic, and diesel/HFO/gas temporary rental power plants. Hybrid power plants and micro-grid systems are reportedly also being developed.

Biomass and waste-to-power plants are ideal to supply the captive power needs of small- and medium-scale industries. This type of distributed power system enjoys wide government support across Southeast Asia, and benefits from abundant biomass resources, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Solar PV facilities, on the other hand, are gaining ground across the region, thanks to policy support and incentives. Thailand is at the forefront of the solar PV market in Southeast Asia, with an estimated capacity additions of approximately one GW in 2015 alone.

Temporary power plants running on diesel or HFO still dominate the rental power segment in Southeast Asia, owing to significant cost-savings, rapid installation, wide availability of fuel, and inherent flexibility of use. Temporary power plants running on gas are also gaining popularity in the region, in recognition of their cost and environmental benefits.

By going for the rental power option, one avoids the need for a significant upfront investment, and the long lead times associated with the construction of permanent power generation facilities.
Industry studies conducted across Southeast Asia reveal that a permanent centralized power plant may take around five to ten years to become fully operational due to the obstacles created by environmental laws in the region and land acquisition requirements, compounded by overall construction delays. While waiting for the power plants to be constructed and activated, power companies in Southeast Asia, the likes of Meralco and the National Power Corporation in the Philippines, or the Perusahaan Listrik Negara in Indonesia and the Vietnam Electricity Company, will find numerous benefits in setting up temporary rental power plants to meet the immediate power demands of their countries.

Temporary power plants are also scalable, in that its output can be tailored to the existing electricity demand of a community, a city or a province. They can also be installed even in areas with limited power infrastructure, say where substations are absent, because they can be directly connected to the grid having been equipped with the latest protection systems and advanced transformation and switching equipment.

When the permanent power plants are completed, the rental power plants can be easily and completely demobilized, thus leaving no power facility not used or that will require further maintenance and servicing.

For more information on temporary power plants on diesel, gas or bi-fuel, please visit: http://www.altaaqaglobal.com

The Growth of Distributed Power in Southeast Asia

As Southeast Asian economies continue to grow in the coming years, the region’s demand for electricity will proportionally increase. While the region’s governments are implementing long-term programs to respond to future power needs, power utilities in Southeast Asia, including Tenaga Nasional in Malaysia or the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, can take advantage of the availability of distributed power generation systems, like temporary power plants. Distributed power facilities can help overcome topographical challenges in delivering power, circumvent power transmission and distribution limitations, and boost the electrification rates of various countries in Southeast Asia.



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Sources consulted:

https://ww2.frost.com/news/press-releases/vast-opportunity-distributed-power-generation-solutions-demand-power-southeast-asia-soars/

“Distributed Power Generation Enables Power Plants to Rapidly Address the Demand for Power in Southeast Asia”. Frost & Sullivan.

https://renewablesnow.com/news/se-asia-to-hit-34-7-gw-of-distributed-generation-by-2020-528745/

https://www.iesingapore.gov.sg/~/media/IE%20Singapore/Files/ASIR/PreConference_workshop_Sharad_Somani.pdf

http://powerstruggle.discoursemedia.org/deepdive/southeast-asia-access-to-energy-research-brief/

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Central Asia: An Emerging Player in the Global Oil & Gas Energy Sector

Central Asia, with the rapid development of its oil & gas sectors, is coming to the fore of the global energy landscape. 

In the past several years, Central Asia has been gaining prominence in the global energy sector. While the Middle East remains to be the vital energy exporter to key markets across the world, the recent development of Central Asia’s energy and oil & gas facilities has allowed it to increasingly perform a significant part in delivering the energy needs of crucial markets.

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Central Asia, comprising the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, has, in fact, long possessed immense volumes of oil and natural gas. It has estimated reserves of between 110 billion and 240 billion barrels of crude oil, valued at around USD 4 trillion. Unfortunately, they had largely remained underdeveloped due to lack of infrastructure. Owing to this, it was tremendously difficult for regional energy producers to transform the region’s raw natural resources to profitable output and to find suitable methods of delivery to target markets around the world.

With the presence of Soviet influence over the Central Asia’s energy sector, the region’s oil and gas resources were predominantly delivered to Russia, and from there channeled to other markets of Western Europe. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Central Asian states sought to open their energy resources to new markets and started to take progressive initiatives to diversify their export destinations.

The instrumental partnerships: China

Central Asia’s quest to develop its energy sector on the heels of the fall of the Soviet Union was largely met with various challenges. The region’s perceived geopolitical risks, lack of industrial and civil infrastructure, and demographic difficulties had all reined in the development of its oil and gas industry.

In recent years, however, the tide has dramatically turned for Central Asia, as it found important energy partners in its neighbors, most notably in China. Aside from being a viable final point of trade, China’s investment towards Central Asia largely contributed to the rapid development of the region’s oil & gas resources, and in the stark regeneration and expansion of its energy market.

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China has been actively involved in various oil & gas projects in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan, funding construction works and supplying technology and equipment, mostly to the upstream sector. Investing in Central Asia’s energy industry is a key component of China’s strategy to strengthen its oil & gas sector to, first, meet domestic energy demand and, then, export high-value energy products to key markets of the world.

China controls an estimated 20% of Kazakhstan’s oil production, and has participated in the construction of one of the world’s most extensive oil pipelines, stretching 2,300 km from the Caspian Sea to Xinjiang province. The China National Petroleum Corporation maintains a significant stake in the Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea, while other Chinese companies control several strategic oil fields around Aktobe, a city in the west of Kazakhstan.

China also has a significant participation in Kazakhstan’s most successful oil & gas companies. Some of the regional energy companies with Chinese holdings include MangystauMunaiGaz, CNPC-AktobeMunaiGas, KazGerMunay, KarazhanbasMunay, PetroKazakhstan, Buzachi Operating, Turgay Petroleum, Caspian Petroleum Company, Kazakhoil Aktobe, and KarakudukMunai.

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Aside from Kazakhstan, China has also become a significant customer and partner for Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Regional energy companies, such as Tajiktransgaz and Uzbekneftergaz have signed agreements with China National Petroleum Corporation to cooperate in the construction of the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline that facilitates the delivery of Central Asia’s gas resources to China.

Aside from Chinese oil & gas firms, Central Asia has also attracted international oil & gas majors to participate in geological surveys, exploratory activities and other energy-related processes. These include ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Conoco, and Eni.

The power to go further

The partnership with international oil & gas firms, particularly with those from China, has clearly accelerated Central Asia’s emergence as a significant player in the world energy market. The development of new energy infrastructure, exploration facilities, refineries and large-scale pipeline projects are expected to continue in the coming years, with more deals being signed among the Central Asian countries and prospective international investors.

Now, more than ever, a reliable source of electrical energy will be necessary to provide power to the existing energy facilities and to the future infrastructure construction projects in Central Asia. With market opportunities abound, Central Asia cannot afford to slow down at the risk of losing its momentum. This is the time when Central Asia needs a reliable power partner that can provide suitable power generation technologies to its energy and oil & gas market.

Temporary power plants represent a power generation technology highly suitable to Central Asia’s oil and gas market. They can be delivered and installed anywhere in the world, even in remote areas where oil & gas facilities are usually located or constructed. They can be configured in various ways so that they fit even in the limited spaces that are usually left available in oil & gas facilities.

They are highly scalable so that they can provide the precise amount of power needed in the different processes of an oil & gas operation. For example, an oil & gas operator can opt to start with a small power plant during the less energy-intensive stages, and then ramp up its capacity as operations expand and as processes require more power. This is particularly important for oil & gas investors because this eliminates the need to invest in permanent power plants at the early stages, which can be left inefficiently running at part-load most of the time.

Modern rental power plants are equipped with cutting-edge protection systems that ensure a safe operation within oil & gas facilities. Additionally, they will be expertly installed, operated and maintained by certified electrical engineers from the service provider so oil & gas operators can rest assured that the power plants will remain efficient and reliable throughout the service.

For more information on the benefits of temporary power for oil & gas operations, please visit: http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/industries/oil-gas

 The remarkable potential

Industry insiders say that Central Asia is set to become a dominant player in the global energy market. Central Asia possesses some of the world’s largest oil & gas fields, and though several of which are already being developed, there still remain many areas in the region where a substantial potential exists. As the region’s oil & gas sector is further developed by future regional and international investments, Central Asia will progressively gain prominence as a major producer of energy and fuels, and as a vital energy transportation link between various regions of Eurasia.


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*This article has been previsouly published at www.gineersnow.com, https://www.gineersnow.com/industries/oil-gas/central-asia-emerging-player-global-oil-gas-energy-sector


Sources consulted:

http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/central-asias-oil-and-gas-now-flows-to-the-east/
http://www.worldfinance.com/markets/central-asia-a-major-player-in-the-oil-and-gas-energy-industry
http://www.arabianoilandgas.com/article-16239-central-asias-new-pivotal-role/1/print/


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The Electricity Rat Race (Part 2): Reliable and Cost-Effective Supplemental Power Solutions for the Middle East Electricity Sector

Electricity consumption in the Middle East has been exponentially increasing in recent years, and if this current rate persists, the region will require several hundred billion US Dollars by 2020 to construct the necessary power infrastructure to keep pace with its future demand.

However, the current economic situation in the Middle East is limiting the governments’ capacity to single-handedly pour in the necessary investment towards the power sector. Thus, several countries in the region, including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have endeavored to unbundle their power sectors into separate segments (generation, transmission, and distribution) in an attempt to streamline operations and encourage capital investment from the private sector.

A reliable power support is key

Many of the region’s governments and private sector investors have embarked on developing new cost-effective, reliable and sustainable sources of energy that have the potential to dramatically boost the region’s power generating capacity. For example, solar energy projects are rapidly progressing in the Middle East, most notably in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In fact, industry insiders report that solar power generation receives up to 90% of all government and private sector funding on renewable energy. It is therefore not surprising that solar power is now approaching grid parity and is experiencing phenomenal growth in the Middle East.

An example of renewable energy initiatives in the region is Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) concentrated solar power projects in the UAE, which are touted to generate 1,000 MW by 2030. Most celebrated of these projects is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, which is expected to provide a dedicated supply of 100 MW of electricity to the World Expo 2020.

In Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) has committed to construct up to 41 GW of solar power plants, and invest in an additional 21 GW of wind and geothermal power in the next two decades.

While in Kuwait, the country is looking to partner with international companies to add a power generating capacity of 2,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030.

But, in a region that is experiencing an unprecedented growth in population and in economic and industrial activities, a single source of alternative electricity may not be enough to secure its future power needs. Renewable energy technologies, like solar and wind, may hold a tremendous potential to provide the region with a reliable supplemental power, but as they are improved and optimized through the years with continuous technological research and development, these alternative power technologies may need the support of other sources of electricity.

In this time of economic challenges amidst a heightened urgency to supply additional power, the governments and the renewable energy investors will real benefits in turning to temporary power technologies. Rental power plants are able to supplement the existing power generated by traditional power plants and renewable sources of energy. They can act as an energy “safety net”, in that they are able to boost or take over the power load from renewable energy sources in times of intermittency, or from conventional power plants in times of power shortage. Rental power generation systems are equipped with state-of-the-art fast-start systems that allow them to supply the needed power at the shortest possible time, in cases of instability or insufficiency of other sources of electricity.

Temporary power plants represent a cost-effective solution to power supply challenges. Countries in the Middle East or private sector funders looking to manage their expenditure within the power sector will be happy to know that renting power do not require a huge initial investment. It can also protect the governments and private investors from unexpected associated expenditure, as temporary power plants come as a complete solution, with ancillaries, operation, and maintenance integrated with the service. This way, the governments and private investors are able to better manage their financial resources.

Along this line, the power sector stakeholders will also welcome the fact that temporary power plants can be easily mobilized, installed and operated anywhere in the world, because they are modular and can be simply connected to the grid, even without a substation. At the end of the contract, they can also be easily demobilized, leaving no permanent facility not utilized or that will require constant maintenance and service.

With rental power plants on board, the limitations of traditional power plants and renewable energy sources can be overcome, and the additional electricity can be reliably supplied as long as it is needed. In this context, temporary power plants find their maximum benefit in being used as supplementary or back-up power while permanent other energy facilities are being constructed or refurbished, and while alternative energy sources are being improved and optimized through the years.

Looking to the future

Industry experts believe that independent power producers (IPP) and private sector investors have been instrumental in keeping the region’s power supply sufficient for its residents, businesses and industries in recent years. At present, IPPs and the private sector are responsible for a significant amount of new capacity, and independent power plants continue to supplement or, to an extent, take the load of old and outdated government power plants not only in the GCC but also in other countries in the Middle East. They, therefore, are expected to continue to play a vital role in the power generation initiatives of governments in the region.


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Sources consulted:

“GCC Power Market Report 2017”. Ventures Onsite for Middle East Electricity.

Current Trends in the Oil & Gas Industry of the Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific is keen on boosting the productivity of new and established oil and gas reserves within its territories. 

The Asia-Pacific’s demand for oil and gas continues to rise as it witnesses rapid urbanization and industrialization. At the moment, the Asia-Pacific is said to be consuming approximately 25% of the world’s oil supply, 45% of coal and 10% of natural gas. While it has traditionally supported its demand with exports from other regions, at present countries in the Asia-Pacific are taking significant steps towards decreasing import dependency and boosting regional energy security and autonomy.

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In order to satisfy the increasing demand for energy, oil & gas and petrochemicals, and thus encourage further regional economic growth, the Asia-Pacific is keen on boosting the productivity of new and established oil and gas reserves within its territories.

Renewed Energy

Some of the more mature oil and gas reserves in the region are found in China and India, and in certain parts of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Currently, new oil frontiers are being developed in other countries, like the Philippines and Myanmar. Exploration of unconventional oil and gas reserves in deeper and more remote waters is notably gaining traction.

National oil companies within the region, such as the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Malaysia’s Petronas, Thailand’s PTT and Vietnam’s PetroVietnam have taken the lead in investing in and developing the region’s oil & gas industry. Additionally, independent oil & gas companies and international oil companies are seeing increasing regional participation.

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American and European oil & gas titans have started ramping up their activities within the Asia-Pacific, with the keen interest of capitalizing on the region’s rapidly expanding market. Some of the more notable regional activities of international oil companies include Exxon Mobil’s agreed acquisition of Papua New Guinea’s InterOil, British Petroleum’s (BP) plans of expanding its Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia, and Chevron and Exxon Mobil’s bid to invest in an oil project in Kazakhstan, which is geared towards transporting crude to China. Other international players actively participating in the regional oil & gas activities include Reliance, Shell and Murphy.

Spotlight: In-field Power Generation Technologies

But while the Asia-Pacific oil & gas sector is gradually picking up the pace, the industry players remain cautious about the volatile prices, the challenges of exploration and production in harsh remote areas and other environmental and technological concerns. With this in mind, oil & gas operators are constantly in search of ways to enhance long-term production, control operational expenditure and minimize the environmental impact of their operations.

One aspect that industry players aim to optimize is in-field power generation, considered the life-blood of oil & gas operation.

Temporary power plants can prove to be a viable power generation option for oil & gas operations. Turning to rental power solutions can spare new and mature oil & gas companies alike from making a huge investment in permanent power facilities amidst this uncertain economic climate. Opting to rent power plants will not require a substantial capital investment, and the power produced can be easily paid from operational revenues. Because rental power plants are completely scalable, they can support the energy requirements of various processes of oil & gas operations of any size.

Temporary power plants can be transported from and to virtually anywhere in the world, even in extremely remote areas where new oil & gas facilities are being established. Equipment comprising rental power stations are enclosed in industry-grade containers so they are suitable for safe and reliable operation even in the harshest environments. They are modular so they can be laid out and installed in various configurations even in the limited spaces available in oil & gas facilities.

At present, many oil & gas facilities are realizing the economic and environmental advantages of using natural gas to provide power for its operations. While oilfield equipment is traditionally powered by diesel generators, natural gas generators are progressively gaining utilization in oil & gas operations. Its growth within the industry is largely spurred by the development of modern power generation solutions capable of running on-site natural gas, the increase in unconventional gas resources and the strict implementation of emission regulations in many countries around the world.

For more information on how rental power plants can be beneficial to oil & gas operations, visit: http://www.altaaqaglobal.com/industries/oil-gas

What Lies Ahead

The Asia-Pacific is expecting continued economic growth of 7.3% in the coming years. What this means is that the region’s energy demand will proportionally increase. This, in addition to the modest recovery in crude prices, drives the expansion of the oil and gas market in the Asia-Pacific. But while national and international oil & gas players are excitedly looking to ride this new growth wave, they remain optimistically cautious of the industry’s prospects. Having said this, they remain on the look-out for innovations and technologies that can enhance their productivity and mitigate any associated risks.


-Ends-


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

Sources consulted: 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/asia-pacific-upstream-oil-gas-services-market-to-grow-at-4-cagr-through-2021-2016-11-08-22034846

http://erm-academy.org/publication/risk-management-article/changes-asia-pacific-oil-and-gas-segment

http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Energy-majors-look-to-Asia-Pacific-for-growth

http://altaaqaglobal.blogspot.ae/2016/04/utilizing-stranded-gas-to-boost-long.html

Компания Altaaqa Global получила признание ISO в области энергоэффективности

Компания стала первой и пока единственной среди поставщиков услуг временного энергоснабжения, проекты которой сертифицированы согласно требованиям стандартов ISO 50001:2011 

После месяцев тщательного согласования процессов и проведения обширного аудита, компания Altaaqa Global Caterpillar Rental Power - ведущий поставщик услуг временного энергоснабжения, объемы которых измеряются мегаваттами, была сертифицирована аккредитованной ISO сертификационной организацией TÜV NORD, головной офис которой расположен в Ганновере (Германия), на соответствие требованиям стандарта ISO 50001:2011.

Стандарт ISO 50001:2011 устанавливает требования к созданию, внедрению, поддержанию и усовершенствованию системы энергетического менеджмента, позволяющей организации систематически совершенствовать энергоэффективность ее операционной деятельности и проектов.

«Стандарт ISO 50001:2011 применим в любой организации, которая стремится к тому, чтобы ее продукция и услуги отвечали заявленной ею политике в области энергетики», - пояснил Шибу Дейвис, генеральный менеджер по вопросам сертификации, охраны труда и лабораторным исследованиям в организации TÜV NORD. «Сертификат, присвоенный компании Altaaqa Global - единственной в мире среди компаний по аренде решений для энергоснабжения, служит признанием неотступного стремления компании осуществлять проекты по выработке электроэнергии в объемах, измеряемых мегаваттами, эффективно используя энергию, сохраняя природные ресурсы и помогая предотвратить изменение климата».

Мегана Миллин, специалист Altaaqa Global по вопросам качества и охраны труда, описала, как компания обеспечивает внедрение политики в области энергетики и ее соблюдение в рамках всех процессов. «Мы ставим цель обеспечить наиболее энергоэффективные и экологически ответственные решения энергоснабжения для наших клиентов. В этой связи, мы последовательно выполняем требования нашей политики в области энергетики на всех этапах, начиная с выбора энергооборудования, при разработке электростанций, транспортировке, в ходе монтажных работ в рамках проекта, во время сдачи в эксплуатации и обслуживания. Кроме этого, мы регулярно модернизируем наши существующие установки, чтобы сделать их еще более энергоэффективными».

Маджид Захид, коммерческий директор компании Altaaqa Global, рассказал о том, как компания гарантирует удовлетворенность клиентов в осуществляемых компанией проектах по предоставлению услуг аренды решений энергоснабжения в объеме, измеряющемся мегаваттами: «При помощи мониторинга и оценки рабочих параметров, осуществляемых авторитетными сертификационными организациями с мировым именем, мы обеспечиваем соответствие наших станций самым высоким стандартам эффективности. Таким образом мы можем гарантировать нашим клиентам, что осуществляемые нами проекты в области энергетики не только обеспечивают беспрерывное снабжение электроэнергией, но и позволяют снизить затраты и минимизировать эксплуатационные расходы».

Со своей стороны, Петер ден Богерт, генеральный директор компании Altaaqa Global, призвал представителей отрасли услуг аренды решений энергоснабжения принять на себя обязательства по ответственному использованию энергии. «На нас как на представителей отрасли временного энергоснабжения лежит ответственность сознательно бороться с влиянием нашей деятельности на окружающую среду. Поэтому мы в компании Altaaqa Global постоянно развиваем и оптимизируем наши решения в области выработки энергии, с тем чтобы в конечном итоге они приносили реальную экономическую, социальную и экологическую пользу. Мы гордимся тем, что проложили путь отрасли автономных электростанций к высоким операционным параметрам и эффективному использованию топлива».

В 2014 г. компания Altaaqa Global также получила сертификаты соответствия стандартам ISO 9001:2008 (Система управления качеством), ISO 14001:2004 (Система управления природопользованием) и OHSAS 18001:2007 (Система управления охраной труда и производственной безопасностью), и заняла место в списке избранных мировых компаний, успешно пройдя тройной аудит и получив все сертификаты в первый год оценки.


Конец


О компании Altaaqa Global
Компания Altaaqa Global, являющаяся подразделением группы компаний Zahid Group, была выбрана компанией Caterpillar Inc. в качестве поставщика решений по обеспечению энергоснабжения по всему миру в объеме, измеряющемся многими мегаваттами. Компания владеет, мобилизует, устанавливает и эксплуатирует эффективные независимые электростанции (IPP) в местах расположения, указанных заказчиком, и фокусируется на развивающихся рынках регионов Африки, расположенных к югу от Сахары, Центральной Азии, Индостана, Латинской Америки, Юго-Восточной Азии, Ближнего Востока и Северной Африки. Наличие прокатного оборудования, в котором используются различные виды топлива, например, дизельное топливо, природный газ, а также наличие двухтопливного оборудования, позволяет компании Altaaqa Global в короткие сроки устанавливать и запускать временные электростанции, обеспечивая энергоснабжения там, где необходимо, и тогда, когда это необходимо.

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

О группе компаний Zahid Group
Группа компаний Zahid Group представляет широкий ряд компаний, предлагающих полный набор услуг, ориентированных на потребности клиента, в различных отраслях, переживающих подъем. В их числе находятся такие отрасли, как строительство, горнодобывающая промышленность, нефтегазовая промышленность, сельское хозяйство, энергетика, выработка электроэнергии и воды, транспортировка материалов, строительные материалы, транспорт и логистика, развитие проектов по строительству жилья, путешествия и туризм, утилизация и переработка отходов, а также гостиничный сектор.

http://www.zahid.com/

О компании TÜV NORD
Компания TÜV NORD International GmbH & Co. KG установила деловые отношения в более, чем 70 странах Европы, Северной и Южной Америки, Азии и Африки, и в настоящее время представлена на всех основных рынках мира. Группа TÜV NORD Group объединила под эгидой компании TÜV NORD International  признанный профессионализм, высококвалифицированный персонал, специализирующийся в широком спектре областей, а также значительное количество компаний, занимающих лидирующие позиции в своих секторах рынка. Сегодня, приобретенные на протяжении многих лет знания и профессиональный персонал, насчитывающий 8400 специалистов, гарантируют признание марки TÜV NORD как символа безопасности, профессионализма и надежности.


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