Generators are vital – whether in continuous, prime power or back-up applications – so quality and low running costs ensure reliability.
Caterpillar has one of the widest – if not the widest – power generator offerings in the market, with gensets of output from 7.5kVA all the way up to 7,150kVA (from the CAT C1.1 to the CAT 3616 engines). “We enjoy a large market share across all rating brackets and market segments, most specifically in those specialised projects with complex requirements and high power requirements between 1,600kVA to 4,000kVA,” says Mohamed B. El-Kaddour, Vice President – Energy and Transportation at Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, the Caterpillar dealer for the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
The Caterpillar generator sets supplied by Al-Bahar are used in a wide variety of sectors including public and civil services, manufacturing, construction, energy and utilities, and commercial services. “[Over the past 12 months] we have seen an increase in demand for segments like public and civil services, healthcare, data centres and oil exploration,” he says.
Caterpillar offers gensets for different applications – continuous operation as base load for 24×7, prime power operation on variable loads for 24×7, and standby/emergency power, says El-Kaddour, and robust design allows them to run in harsh conditions. “Unmatched 24×7 service and aftermarket support enhanced by Customer Value Agreements (CVA) has been our hallmark, and is well acknowledged and valued by our customers,” he says.
Overall, high BMEP and SKVA permit better block loading capabilities and appropriate transient responses. The use of digital solutions like Cat Connect / Remote Asset Monitoring and other telematics systems also helps with condition monitoring and predictions of fleet performance, which in turn help avoid serious failures and reducing downtime, he notes.
In addition, Caterpillar and Al-Bahar provide custom packages tailored to individual project specifications for customers in the region, such as ministries, national oil companies and commercial ventures. “These include, but are not restricted to, specialised alternators, batteries, enclosures, load banks, control panels, switch gears, enclosures and so forth. We have recently delivered such packages to ADNOC, KOC, DEWA and SEWA.”
Caterpillar has recently released a new line of GC Series diesel generator sets for standby power solutions, with ratings of 33- 1,100kVA. Notable for their compact footprint and emphasis on value, the machines feature a new Cat GCCP automatic mains failure control panel with 50 event log, standby option pack with smart water heater and timer control, and soundattenuating and weather-proof enclosures designed for maximum protection against harsh weather.
UAE-assembled
Doosan Bobcat assembles its smaller range of Doosan Portable Power (DPP) gensets in the UAE and supplies them to MEA dealers. This has tax advantages for GCC buyers and helps make the smaller gensets more price-competitive. The range encompasses the G20, G30, G45 and G60 gensets, available in both 50Hz and 60Hz versions.
The four gensets provide prime power outputs of 20, 30, 45 and 63kVA respectively, with all four available as open (XF) or sound-attenuated (XW) versions. The equivalent 60Hz versions are also available in a range of voltages between 220V and 480V (phase to phase). They are powered by well-proven Yanmar diesel engines and covered by the best standard warranty on the market – two years and/or 4,000 hours on the complete powertrain.
This genset range will also be renewed, with a new product coming to market towards the end of the year, says Gaby Rhayem, Regional Director for Middle East and Africa at Doosan Bobcat EMEA.
The company’s larger 80-750kVA gensets are produced in Malaysia, giving DPP coverage from 20-750/800kVA. Topping the range is the G750, with prime output of 750kVA and standby output of 830kVA, powered by a Doosan DP222LC 12-cylinder engine. Sound-attenuated dimensions are 6,060mm x 2,440mm x 2,590mm (LHW).
When it comes to critical applications – power at a hospital or factory, or other important infrastructure – buyers typically look to buy from established dealers with a good reputation for service and support, notes Rhayem. “Our dealers remain the destination of choice, service and reputation, especially for large projects – telecommunications, hospitals, malls, factories – where people are looking for after-market support.”
In addition to gensets, Rhayem says the brand is set to introduce a new range of DPP lighting towers produced in India, giving them a very attractive price position. The brand also plans to introduce a new set of compressors within the next few months, also manufactured in India.
Engine supplier and genset maker
FPT Industrial is well-known for its range of engines and is both a supplier to OEMs, and of built-up generators to some markets. Well-known OEMs include Himoinsa, Generac and Pramac, while local producers in the Middle East use FPT engines for generators and other products.
“In FPT, we also have our genset range – open and soundproof – but we supply them only to markets that we do not have any OEMs, for example Iraq,” says Mohammad Nategh, Middle East Sales Area Manager at FPT Industrial.
FPT provides solutions for prime power, continuous and standby, but recently demand has been growing for back-up and standby applications, and in the rental sector. Overall, demand in the MENA region has been growing in recent years, though this has been disrupted by the pandemic. Nevertheless, several markets continue to see growth. Egypt is a growing market, and besides power generation there is increasing demand for on-road natural gas engines, which FPT is a specialist in, as authorities push the use of CNG engines instead of diesel, says Nategh.
The FPT engine range covers 30-600kVA outputs, with engines tested and suitable for ambient conditions in the Middle East and Africa. The company’s focus is on engineering and technology. “FPT designed a specific combustion chamber to reduce fuel consumption. Our engines have a longer service interval with respect to competitors. Our service interval averages 600 hours, whereas for many competitors it’s 500 hours. These two factors lead our customers to save money, and it also helps preserve the environment,” says Nategh.
Another important feature is that the FPT engines are easily switchable between 50 and 60 hertz, according to local market requirements. The high-quality engine builds also reduce overall maintenance requirements.
Added value services that benefit end users include threeor even five-year extended warranties, and telematic tools to allow customers to remotely monitor engine conditions, especially important when the gensets are on remote sites. “With the telematics tools, you can easily monitor the realtime condition of the engines from your home or office,” Nategh notes.