< PreviousKNOWLEDGE PARTNER 30 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 www.utilities-me.com Every protection system must work safely, quickly and in a targeted manner. The aim of this requirement is to deliver a supply of energy that is as stable as possible and, most importantly, to ensure the safety of electrical energy facil- ities. In the fi eld of relay testing, various suppli- ers off ering well-proven devices together with a generally accepted set of methods regarding how testing is to be carried out have been around for many years. However, even the most thoroughly tested protection relay will not be doing its job if it is unable to detect an event caused by a one-off wiring error. Wiring testing is, therefore, vital - especially when commissioning a new or modifi ed installation - and should be a process carried but not all of them are examined in detail. If we look at the confi guration that crops up most frequently in the fi eld, that is, a three-phase system with three current and three voltage transformers, the following errors might occur. They should, therefore, be looked for every time a test is carried out; incorrect polarity in the current transformer, current transformer installed in wrong direction, current transformer circuit not grounded, additional unintentional ground connections and malfunction of a relay test plug or relay test connector. Other elements to be looked for include break in the secondary wiring of current or voltage transformers, polarity error in the secondary wiring, phase reversal in the sec- ondary wiring and installation direction of current transformer incorrectly set in relay. out according to a standard that is likewise broadly accepted. Operators of electrical energy facilities have shown there does not appear to be an established standard for wiring testing. Most companies rely on an in-house process for wiring testing that has been developed over the years from their respective experiences. The basic idea behind this approach addresses the question of what errors should be found (or, ideally, not found) when test- ing wiring. In this article, the authors propose a reliable method for wiring testing that has been developed on the basis of this question and the fi ndings from the interviews. It can be carried out with minimal outlay while providing as high a level of safety as possible. To keep the length of this article within bounds, the various steps are listed, With the COMPANO 100, OMICRON has developed a test set that is optimised to test the wiring from the transformers to the relays, meters or control room RELIABLE TESTING OF TRANSFORMER WIRING - A POOR RELATION?KNOWLEDGE PARTNER www.utilities-me.com August 2019 / Utilities Middle East 31 SUITABLE EQUIPMENT FOR RELIABLE TESTING In principle, any test set that can output a cur- rent and a voltage is suitable for the major- ity of wiring tests. It should also have at least two inputs for measuring current and/or volt- age. However, a closer look at many of the test sets already available on the market reveals they have major disadvantages when used for such tests because some errors - for exam- ple, auto-reclosing of the testing switch - are impossible to detect. Polarity checking with traditional sources and measuring inputs is of course possible, but a cable always has to be run from the mea- suring point in the installation to the source, something that is expensive. If this is not done, multiple errors will sometimes not be detected. OMICRON has launched the COMPANO 100 a new device that, among other things, is optimised to test the wiring of transformer circuits. What makes the COMPANO 100 useful for wiring testing is that at 10 kg, it is signifi - cantly lighter than comparable devices, bat- tery-powered, therefore highly portable and allows special DC-free polarity check signal. It has a special circuit for detecting breaks in current transformer circuits, for example, when checking test plugs or test switches, allows regulated outputs for direct adjust- ment of set points and it is equipped with an emergency stop switch for the highest levels of safety. The sources and inputs also enable the device to be employed for numerous other tests, such as simple relay tests, micro-resis- tance measurements, and the ground resis- tance measurements of small grounding sys- tems. PROPOSAL FOR A RELIABLE TESTING METHOD Once the transformers have been energised and grounded according to the fi ve safety rules, a primary injection is used to verify the grounding of the secondary circuits, followed by the transformation ratios (if required) and the polarities of the transformers. The details will not be set out here, but this step will detect the errors numbered 1, 3 and 4 in the previous list. The remaining tests can be carried out more easily using a secondary injection. The test set can remain next to the transformers for all these tests. Polarity checking of the secondary wiring is performed using the CPOL method familiar from other OMICRON devices. This involves injecting a saw-tooth signal into the current and voltage transformer circuits. This signal has no DC component, so mag- netization of the transformer is never a prob- lem. The small, battery-powered CPOL polar- ity checker can then be used to carry out mea- surements anywhere in the installation - both in the current and voltage circuits - without requiring a connection to a source. It shows if the measurement is being carried out in the right circuit and whether the polarity of the circuit is correct. This approach will detect errors 6, 7 and 8 in the list. TEST SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS POSE DANGER TO PERSONNEL Another feature of the COMPANO 100 is its ability to detect breaks in the current circuit. It is well known that relay test switches must short when the current transformer circuit is activated before they disconnect the relay from the circuit. This is an area where not all test switches have proved reliable, a situation that can pose a danger to personnel. Checking this function by means of a primary injection is, however, not advisable (in fact it can be extremely dan- gerous), as doing so would, if the test switch were to malfunction during the test, generate precisely these excessively high voltages. By detecting breaks in the secondary cir- cuit, the COMPANO 100 performs this test in a straightforward manner without exposing the tester to danger. If the test switch is some distance away from the source, the device can be confi gured to disconnect the output automatically if a break is detected in the circuit. The tester can then operate the relevant test switch a couple of times in succession without having to be anywhere near the test set, and, in doing so, establish whether a break has occurred with- out having to check the display on his or her device. The duration of the break will be also shown on the display. The remaining sources can now be checked for possible polarity errors by simul- taneous injection in the current and voltage transformers, and reading off the sign of the active power indicator on the relay display. This method can reveal the remaining possi- ble polarity errors (numbers 2 and 9), espe- cially in the case of primary injection in the current transformer. The sources and inputs present in the COMPANO 100 enable the device to be employed for a range of other tests, such as simple relay tests, micro-resistance measure- ments, and the ground resistance measure- ments of small grounding systems. Polarity checking with traditional sources and measuring inputs is of course possible, but a cable always has to be run from the measuring point in the installation to the source.”INDUSTRY UPDATE 32 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 www.utilities-me.com Testing market worth $3.2bn by 2028 The developments in electricity infrastructure of the countries is thriving at rapid pace Electrifi cation eff orts of emerging economies are providing a progres- sive platform to electrical testing services market. The developments in electricity infrastructure of the countries is thriving at rapid pace, and the move is intended to provide aff ordable and uninterrupted elec- tricity to diff erent parts across the globe. This also demands installa- tion of power transmission equip- ment such as transformers, which will have a direct impact on the demand for electrical testing ser- vices market. According to a recent market forecast by Future Market Insights, the global electrical testing services market is expected to reach a market value of over $ 7,800mn by the end of 2028, witnessing a robust growth rate of over 6.9% during the forecast period 2018-2028. The growth of market is also reinforced by the outburst in demand for green energy or renew- able energy sources such as wind, solar and hydro. With the increase in demand for the green energy, the market will also witness a signifi cant rise in demand for electrical testing services market in the near future. Regular testing of the huge elec- tric equipment becomes neces- sary as steel plants, and other heavy industrial equipment are particu- larly large in size and cumbersome to handle with. Replacement of these equip- ment on the account of failure usu- ally takes months or sometimes years based on the original speci- fi cations, whereas regular testing helps avoiding failures. The testing services work in accordance with the testing stan- dards laid down by reputed national and international accreditation bodies. The testing service provid- ers can signifi cantly improve its ser- Ultrasonic meters will be available in 3-in. and 4-in. sizes Badger Meter E-Series Ultrasonic meters are designed for high measurement accuracy and long-term reliability Badger Meter, a manufacturer of fl ow measurement, control and communi- cations solutions, has announced the launch of its next generation E-Series® Ultrasonic meters for commercial applications. The new meters will be available in 3-inch and 4-inch sizes. Badger Meter E-Series Ultrasonic meters are designed for high measure- ment accuracy and long-term reliabil- ity. With extended fl ow ranges, the new meters are ideal for measuring potable cold water in commercial and indus- trial applications that experience wide fl uctuations in water demand. Smart alarms provide early detection for fl ow, temperature and pressure dis- turbances to help utilities proactively manage their water systems faster and more effi ciently. The new E-Series Ultra- sonic meters will also feature: • Open fl ow tube design; • Fully electronic meters with pro- grammable registration and reporting features; • Long-term sustained accuracy within ±1.5% and extended fl ow accuracy within ± 3 percent; • Meter alarms for empty pipe, exceeding max fl ow, reverse fl ow, leak, temperature, pressure and battery; • Single and dual outputs with industry standard ASCII protocol, scale and unscaled and 4-20mA; • Fully submersible to withstand harsh environments; • Lead-free bronze alloy housing that complies with the lead-free requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act; and, • Compatibility with Badger Meter’s ORION® family of endpoints. Unlike mechanical meters, ultra- sonic meters, use high-frequency sound waves to measure fl ows. This technology helps water utilities extend low fl ow accuracy to mea- sure small volumes of water, as well as improve overall reliability. E-Series Ultrasonic meters off er increased performance to extend the life of the meter and maximiSe revenue. “We off er an industry-leading range of meter options and the new E-Series Ultrasonic meters continue to show- case Badger Meter’s innovation. They are the fi rst commercial meters to off er pressure and temperature data and are the only electronic meters with a modular design that allows for replaceable electronics,” said Kim Stoll, vice president of sales and mar- keting at Badger Meter. vice quality and leapfrog other play- ers in market recognition if it com- plies and provide certifi cations of InterNational Electrical Test- ing Association (NETA), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and Electri- cal Research & Development Asso- ciation (ERDA). With greater scope for develop- ment, MEA stands out to be the fast- est growing region in the global elec- trical testing services market. Grow- ing industrialisation and urbanisa- tion will support the growth of elec- trical testing services in the global market over the forecast period. Thus, emerging regions provide a better scope for electrical testing. INDUSTRY UPDATE www.utilities-me.com August 2019 / Utilities Middle East 33 Major loss of property and life can be avoided by eliminating non-certified cables, says Ashish Chaturvedy, Marketing Manager at Ducab Testing power cables for safety In today’s market, no product can expect to sell eff ectively if it is not rooted in sound design engineering. This means ensuring that all techni- cal staff are always up-to-date with the latest changes and developments within the indus- try. Using advanced design technology that calculates the current rating of cables, Ducab is able to provide customers with tailored design recommendations that are both prac- tical and safe. Major loss of property and life can be avoided by eliminating non-certified cables. To decrease fire incidents in the UAE, the civil defence authorities have been working closely with factories and cable manufacturing com- panies to ensure fire-resistant products are installed in public places knowing that non- certified cables can produce poisonous gases with thick black smoke obscuring visibility and exit routes in the event of a fire. Ducab commits to meet and adhere to all new certification standards as laid down by international authorities, and we are confi- dent of meeting any new standards in the UAE as well. As a respected UAE national company, we believe that we have a responsibility to elevate the overall cable standards in the industry and reduce instances of loss to property and life due to non-certified and fake cables. To support these endeavors, Ducab launched its state of the art fire-testing labora- tory last year to ensure all produced cables are subject to extensive testing during each phase of production. The testing facility is equipped with the latest laboratory, operated by highly-qualified engi- neers, and offers various fire and smoke tests, including the ones in accordance with BS8519 Code of Practice, amongst many other specific tests. When looking at electricity generation in particular, the region has also made clear its support for nuclear energy. At Ducab, the IEEE 1202 standard is used for testing Ducab NuBICC range of nuclear grade cables, making it the only facility to conduct this safety test in the region. COMMENT Two KEMA Type Test Certificates for Voltamp Oman Certificates ensure that the transformers comply with international standards for safety DNV GL has issued the KEMA Type Test certifi cates for a 125 MVA 132 kV large power transformer and a 315 kVA 33 kV earthing transformer. The certifi cates ensure that the trans- formers comply with international standards for safety, functional- ity and quality, to face fast growing electricity demand and use in tough power environments. The tests for Voltamp Oman has been performed in this one stop shop assignment, providing the KEMA Type Test Certifi cations for these transformers which are so important for the reliability of the system in the region. DNV GL said that it was proud that it could provide the confi dence to Voltamp Oman and help them to be successful in the market place. With over 35,000 installations in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region and partnerships with global leaders, Voltamp Group has become one of the leading com- panies in the MENA region in man- ufacturing and marketing an exten- sive range of power, distribution and special transformers, low and medium voltage switchgears and packaged substations, with man- ufacturing facilities in Sohar and Rusayl, Oman. The transformers have been cer- tifi ed according to IEC standards: the 125 MVA 132 kV power trans- former, tested in accordance to IEC 60076-5 (2006). The 315 kVA 33 kV three phase earthing transformer is tested in accordance to IEC 60076 and as per the stringent criteria specifi ed the Electricity Transmission Company of Oman. This is the fi rst ever earthing transformer to be tested at KEMA Laboratories for both short circuit and for neutral fault current of mag- nitude 60,000% of rated current. KEMA Laboratories’ team of expe- rienced technical experts tested the transformers in the recently expanded KEMA High-Power Labo- ratory in Arnhem, the Netherlands. During this process, the compo- nents have been thoroughly tested to ensure the quality of the prod- uct relating to standards of safety, functionality and quality that are needed for use in the tough power environment.34 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 www.utilities-me.com PROJECT OF THE MONTH 1,177 MWDh 3.2bn TOTAL CAPACITY TOTAL COST 8.888 fi ls/ kWh COST OF GENERATION 2,900 NUMBE WORKwww.utilities-me.com August 2019 / Utilities Middle East 35 PROJECT OF THE MONTH COVER FEATURE Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) recently announced on that “Noor Abu Dhabi” — the world’s largest single-site solar project — with a capacity of 1,177MW, has started commercial operation. The solar plant, located at Sweihan in Abu Dhabi, is a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Government and a consortium of Japan’s Marubeni Corp and China’s Jinko Solar Holding. The Dh3.2bn project will enable Abu Dhabi to increase its production of renewable energy and reduce the use of natural gas in electricity generation, helping to make energy more sustainable and efficient and reducing the Emirate’s carbon diox- ide emissions by 1 million metric tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing 200,000 cars off the roads. Beyond size, Noor Abu Dhabi broke another record at the time of bid submission attract- ing the world’s most competitive tariff of 8.888 fils/kWh. Mohammad Hassan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of EWEC said: “The completion of the proj- ect marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017, to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix to 50% by 2050 while reducing the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%. Kangping Chen, CEO of Jinko Solar, said: “It is our privilege to participate and contrib- ute to the winning and successful execution of this significant project, which will help power the sustainable economic growth of Abu Dhabi.” NOOR ABU DHABI SOLAR PARK 8 km2 3.2 mn SOLAR PANELS SITE SIZE 0 ER OF KERSFEATURE 36 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 www.utilities-me.com The introduction of IPPs in the GCC could be instrumental in meeting rapidly rising elec- tricity demand through increased effi ciencies and broader project fi nancing channels Last year, the Kuwait Authority for Part- nership Projects (KAPP) invited local, national, and international companies to issue an expression of interest (EOI) for up to two water and power projects: Al-Khai- ran Phase 1 and Az-Zour North 2 and 3. The proj- ects will be procured under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Using a PPP structure could bring the effi - ciencies and capital of the private sector to Kuwait’s water and energy industry, which has traditionally been state-controlled. KAPP says that opening up the market to private stakeholders may reduce the public sector cost of scaling up power and desalina- tion plants, improve production reliability, and bolster competition in Kuwait’s energy market at a time when power demand is rising fast. The region still relies on the single-buyer model where a state-owned entity is the only wholesale purchaser from power generating companies. The single buyer is responsible for selling the electricity to distribution companies which then sell to the fi nal consumers. While the power-generating sector is open to the pri- vate sector, governments still have monopoly over transmission and distribution networks. The current market structure in the GCC has served IPPs well as governments assume most of the risks. IPPs are usually off ered 15 to 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) where the government agrees to buy the electricity at a ‘take it or leave it’ basis at a previously agreed price for the duration of the contract, thus miti- gating demand-side risk. Oman is leading GCC eff orts to unbundle the power sector by privatising most of its gen- erating assets and is considering to privatise transmission and distribution. The country will become the fi rst GCC country to introduce spot trading in the electricity market by the end of the decade. In Saudi Arabia, state utility Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has recently announced plans to break up into four indepen- dent power-generating bodies and an indepen- dent transmission company by the end of 2016. Most IPPs also sign fuel supply agreements with governments to mitigate feedstock price UTILITIES EMBRACE IPPSFEATURE www.utilities-me.com August 2019 / Utilities Middle East 37 fl uctuations. These favourable terms came at a time when GCC governments were desper- ate to bring IPPs and quickly increase capaci- ties. But it is unclear if these terms will continue, as prospects of liberalising the market and gov- ernments’ desire to reduce its off -taking risk may result in terms becoming less favourable. Yet IPPs know that lower government reve- nues and rapidly rising demand mean that their involvement in the sector is crucial, giving them strong negotiating power. The introduction of IPPs in the GCC has been instrumental in meeting rapidly rising electric- ity demand. Today, they represent the major- ity of new capacity and continue to replace government power plants. Although there are potential implications of over-reliance on this strategy going forward, several benefi ts can be discerned for the GCC power sector. First, IPPs allow investments in power Second, IPP projects are usually more cost eff ective than government power plants. Con- tracts under the IPP model are usually awarded to developers who provide the lowest levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), the price per kWh that represents all fi xed and variable costs of a project throughout its lifetime. Developers are therefore encouraged to maximise effi ciency. Since the ability of developers to cut costs and improve technology diff er, IPP bidders can have costs that vary by large margins. For example, the Dubai solar park phase III received fi ve bids for the 800MW project ranging from 2.99 ¢/kWh to 4.48 ¢/kWh. A consortium of Abdul Latif Jameel, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, and Masdar broke the global solar record with 2.99 ¢/kWh. This comes after phase II of the same solar park broke the then world-record when a con- sortium of Acwa Power and TSK off ered 5.85 ¢/kWh. Tendering projects to IPPs based on generation without the need for governments to pay the entire upfront cost. While fi scal buf- fers and substantial export revenue has allowed governments to invest heavily, governments are becoming increasingly constrained, as fall- ing revenues need to be allocated towards other vital sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure. Low oil prices mean that cash will not fl ow easily from governments to state utilities. This is particularly the case for SEC, which is aggres- sively tapping local and foreign debt markets. This year alone, SEC secured a loan of $1.4bn from Japanese banks and a $1.5bn fi nancing deal with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Overall, the state utility has received government and capital-market funding for more than $34bn since it launched its fi rst sukuk in 2007. SEC is also planning a $3.3bn back-up credit facility. FEATURE 38 Utilities Middle East / August 2019 www.utilities-me.com competitive bids will continue to reduce costs and prices for governments and consumers. Third, IPP projects are quicker to execute. With an additional 69GW that needs to be added in the next fi ve years, projects must be implemented swiftly. “IPPs provide governments with the fl exi- bility to identify projects and capacity needs while leaving developers to execute. On aver- age, an IPP takes 3-4 years to be commissioned after tendering. Unlike government projects that usually face delays due to technical spec- ifi cation changes and confl icting roles of vari- ous government entities, it is in the interest of IPPs to bring on line the project as soon as pos- sible – given that delays translate into higher costs,” says a report by the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced long-awaited reforms last year. The plans centre on splitting up SEC to create four power gener- ating companies and establish a separate trans- mission company. SEC is the Kingdom’s verti- cally integrated electricity company that owns most power-generating assets and almost all transmission and distribution networks. The government allows the private sector to enter the generating sector. As a result, most ongoing and future projects will be IPPs, but SEC will hold major equity stakes. The current envi- ronment has been very favourable to the pri- vate sector. IPPs have benefi ted from cheap fuel and priority access to the grid. However, with government plans to increase competition and privatisation, future terms might be less favour- able. Estimated capacity stood at approximately 80GW in 2015, with SEC representing around 60GW and the remaining 20GW operated by the private sector. The Kingdom will meet rising demand with 28GW of capacity already in the pipeline. Of this, 12GW are SEC projects while the rest are IPPs, Saudi Aramco, and Saline Water Conversion Company (SWCC) projects. Major IPP projects include the 2.1GW Rabigh 2 and the 1.5GW Fadhili cogeneration plant, expected on line in 2017 and 2019. So far this year, the 1.5GW Fadhili cogeneration plant was the only IPP awarded to an Engie-led consor- tium at an expected cost of $1.5bn. A joint venture between SEC and Saudi Aramco will hold a majority equity stake, with the remaining owned by the private sector. The electricity will be sold on a 20-year power, water and steam purchase agreement, although prices have not been disclosed. The IPP model is also expected to prevail in the Kingdom’s latest 3.5GW renewable-energy target by 2020, and 9.5GW by 2030. SEC aims to attract the private sector to develop 50MW solar at Al-Jouf and another 50MW at Rafha. Financing is a growing challenge for the Kingdom. SEC’s growing reliance on external fi nance might provide more opportunities for IPPs to dictate better terms. The state utility has already borrowed more in the fi rst half of 2016 than it did in 2015, surpassing the record $3.7bn set in 2014 and 2015. IPPS DOMINATE The UAE boasts one of the most advanced power sectors in the region, with the seven emirates given control over their programmes and strategies. Abu Dhabi took its fi rst steps to unbundle the sector in 1998 when it pushed to privatise power generation and adopt the sin- gle-buyer model. More than 90% of power gen- eration in Abu Dhabi is provided by IPPs today, although the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) holds major equity in all projects. In Dubai, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is also increasing its reli- ance on IPPs. In 2015, the fi rst clean coal power plant - the 1.2GW Hassyan plant – was awarded as an IPP after a consortium of Acwa Power and Harbin Electric off ered a LCOE of 5.01 ¢/ kWh. DEWA will hold a 51% stake in the project. Dubai’s large solar park is also off ered under the IPP model. Phase II of the solar park is being NEW NORMAL IPPs are gaining traction for new pow- er and water projects in the GCCFEATURE www.utilities-me.com August 2019 / Utilities Middle East 39 the 445MW Salalah 2 IPP, the two major proj- ects expected on line by the end of the decade. The country also plans to integrate renewables in the power mix; contracts have already been awarded for the 50MW Harweel wind farm. The sultanate is looking to operate a spot market by the end of the decade, with early trials by 2017. This will allow power genera- tors to sell electricity through a diff erent chan- nel than the traditional PPAs. With several PPAs expiring soon, the spot market will allow OPWP to decide if they want to renew PPAs or make them sell on the spot market. The spot market could also be an advantage as increased competition could force future IPPs to provide better terms. This also comes at a time when many government-owned power plants are reaching the end of their lifetime. In the long term, Oman aims to liberalise the trans- mission and distribution sector, but no clear plans are announced. Kuwait’s electricity market has long been closed to the private sector. The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution. Although the country has been slow to reform its sector, progress is taking place as the country built after Acwa Power and TSK provided a bid of 5.85 ¢/kWh in 2015. Although DEWA and ADWEA allow for IPPs in the sector, the two state utilities participate as major equity shareholders. Private invest- ment continues to attract interest due to rising demand and low country risk. This allows the government to lock long-term contracts at very competitive rates. OMAN: FIRST TO INTRODUCE IPPS, NOW EYEING SPOT TRADING The single buyer model also dominates Oman’s electricity sector. Unlike its richer GCC neigh- bours, the country was early to involve the pri- vate sector in power generation. The fi rst IPP in the region was implemented in Oman. In 1996, the 270MW Al Manah power plant was the fi rst IPP to be fi nanced, built, and operated by the private sector. Today, more than 70% of power generation in the country comes from IPPs. Like the rest of the GCC, Oman state utility (OPWP) holds majority equity stakes in all IPPs and usually off ers 15-year PPAs. Medium-term plans will focus on the IPP model with the 3.2GW Ibri & Sohar 3 IPP and COST IPP projects are usually more cost effective than government power plants looks to attract foreign investors. In January 2013, the Partnerships Technical Bureau (now the Kuwait Authority for Partner- ship Projects) was established to oversee the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. Al-Zour North gas-fi red power plant is the fi rst project to be built under the program. The 1.5GW plant is led by a consortium of Engie (17.5%), Japan’s Sumito (17.5%), AH Al Sagar and Brothers (5%), while the Kuwaiti government owns 60% of the project. The plant will supply the MEW on a 40-year agreement. Kuwait is set to rely heavily on IPPs in the medium term and already has big plans for the next two years. Three projects are expected to be awarded in 2017: the 1.5GW Al-Zour North 2 IWPP, the 1.5GW Al-Khiran IWPP and the 280MW Al-Abdaliya ISCC. GCC governments have limited options in the medium-term and IPPs will continue to be at the forefront of governments’ strategies to add generating capacities. But as they pursue their own paths towards market reform and lib- eralisation, they need to ensure that the new IPPs fi t into the broader picture, and are not just a quick fi x to the problem of rising electricity demand. Next >