Show News Saudi Arabia’s Alfanar on the expansion trail at MEE 2013
New light tower launch for Pramac Generator manufacturer, Pramac Middle East, has launched a new light tower onto the regional market at Middle East Electricity. The Italian-based company’s managing director for the Middle East region, Cristian Cavazzuti, told MEE Dailies that the introduction of the product was the result of much research into the region’s power needs. “This is a very interesting product for this market,” he said. “The new light tower is a great product that has been produced following a big study of what the market and our competitors are offering. “It’s a very specific product for industrial, heavy users and uses a special alternator which has been specifically designed for light towers. We also ensured that the tower is very compact and manoeuvrable.”
Alfanar vice chairman Sabah M. Almutlaq.
Saudi Arabia’s Alfanar is on the expansion trail, unveiling a host of new products and services at this year’s Middle East Electricity. The strategy includes a new emphasis on the rest of the Gulf, with utilities invited to draw on the firm’s unique testing facilities in the Kingdom. According to Sabah M. Almutlaq, Alfanar’s vice chairman, there has already been strong interest from other regional utilities. “Our biggest single customers are the utilities and the oil companies,” he said. Alfanar’s Technical Services division
boasts a comprehensive suite of testing and commissioning services which have, until now, been largely unavailable to other Gulf users. Despite a strong domestic market, it is now opening its doors for new business. “This is the first time we have exhibited this service outside Saudi Arabia,” said Almutlaq. “It’s a complete, technical service.” Alfanar also operates the Gulf’s largest facility for rewinding, repairing and overhauling of power transformers, turbines and generators.
Other new product offers include the Banan range of high-end switches and circuits, and the Alfanar Ring Main Unit, which sees it partnering with Turkish firm Elko. Alfanar is also stepping up a notch in cable manufacture with a newline up to 400kV for utilities customers. “We were making up to 66kV, but we’re now ready for higher voltage,” Almutlaq said. Visit Alfanar on Stand 6E10
Turkish power companies targeting export growth
TET chairman Fatih Kemal Ebiclioglu (right) talking to our reporter on the first day of MEE.
With one of the largest country pavilions in 2013, Turkey means business at this year’s Middle East Electricity show. Dozens of Turkish companies are in Dubai this week with Turkish Electro Technology (TET), the Istanbul Electrical Electronics, Machinery and ICT Exporters’ Association. And they are hungry for more work in the Middle East region and beyond. TET chairman, Fatih Kemal Ebiclioglu, outlined aggressive new export plans in the decade ahead. Currently, TET members' overseas exports value US$12bn, across more than 100 countries; the aim is to grow this figure to $45bn by 2023, Turkey’s centenary year.
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TET members comprise cable and equipment manufacturers, consumer electronics, telecommunications and home appliances companies. Collectively, they account for nearly 10% of total Turkish exports. It’s ambitious, but it’s achievable, Ebiclioglu reckons. “So far, our performance is in line with our expectations,” he said. With nearly half of current electrical exports going to the European market, Turkish firms are now keen to spread their wings into dynamic new markets. As one of the big growth markets, the Middle East energy sector is a naturally important focus area. “We see Dubai and the region as a gateway for African and Asian markets,” said Ebiclioglu. And complying with tough European Union (EU) standards underscores Turkey’s commitment to quality, a major competitive strength. Ebiclioglu said he believed the Middle East Electricity event to be the ideal platform for this business push. While there are plenty of Turkish companies already in the UAE, and across the region, it is the first time Turkey has taken part in the show at a national level. “This is a very important event for Turkish companies,” Ebiclioglu added. “The UAE has huge potential and so has the region. We realise this potential and that’s why we decided to participate at a national level here.” Visit TET on Stands 7A28 and 7A30
Cristian Cavazzuti, managing director for the Middle East region at Pramac.
Cavazzuti paid tribute to the company’s research and development team and also revealed the department’s current focal points. “We have a good R&D department,” he said. “It is mostly focused now on the development of our generator range in the high power sector, generators from 2 MW to 3 MW, and the department is concentrating on some projects for specialised applications; drilling is one, telecoms is another.” Pramac was established in 1966 and has five manufacturing plants and around 20 branches worldwide. The company produces gensets ranging from 1 kVA to 3.6 MW and also manufactures handling equipment.
Visit Pramac Middle East on Stand S1F40