The GCC region can expect to see its population soar by 30% to more than 50 million people over the next decade, a result of strong economic development.
This scale of growth, however, will inevitably lead to pressure on the region’s utilities, creating a demand for more electricity generation to sustain an ever-increasing population. According to a report by Research and Markets, the GCC will require an estimated 60,000MW of new capacity by 2015.
A by-product of this demand is a need for electrical equipment for energy distribution.
Electroputere, a Romanian company founded in 1949, is keen to capitalise on this opportunity and build its presence in the GCC.
The firm’s main products include power transformers in the range of 10 to 440MVA and electrical rotating machines in the range of 200 to 7,000kW for utilities and other industries. The products are predominantly sold in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.
Electroputere’s history goes back over half a century, with it playing a key role in the establishment of power systems and the modernization of the railway and urban transport systems in Romania.
Privatised in 2007, the firm’s majority shareholder is the Al Arrab Contracting Company, a subsidiary of Al Rajhi Holding.
The company was recently appointed on projects in Saudi Arabia such including the installation of twelve 67MVA power transformers for Al Babtain, and nine 67MVA transformers for Al Fanar.
“Our major growth markets in the region are all GCC countries especially KSA. We intend to open a new sales office in KSA to strengthen our presence in the market,” the firm told Big Project ME in a statement.
Electroputere also has projects currently underway in Europe, including three 100MVA transformers for ABB Greece and five 40/50MVA power transformers for PPC Greece.
Currently, the company is implementing a comprehensive investment and reorganization program including the renewal of production machines and equipment, refurbishment of buildings, occupational health and safety program, process development and many others.
With a targeted 20% increase in revenue for 2015, Electroputere’s goal is to become a global provider of power transformers and rotating electrical machines together with efficient solutions for its customers.
“Our vision is to be number one or two in Transformers & Electrical Rotating Machines manufacturing in Europe with sales all over Eurozone and MENA regions,” the company said.