JG Afrika, a leading provider of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, is assisting a sugar refinery in Saudia Arabia to reduce its dependency on Light Arabian Crude as a primary source of energy.
This project supports the National Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources’ strategy to centralise power generation and reliance on liquid fuel in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Response to Climate Change. The initiative is part of the transformational Liquid Displacement Program, which was launched by Saudi Vision 2030. Saudi Vision 2030 aims to displace 1-million barrels per day of liquid fuels across utilities, industry and agriculture sectors by 2030.
“Saudi Arabia, which has the largest oil and natural gas resources in the world, has already made significant strides towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. This is driving a high demand for renewable energy technologies, such as wind, as well as solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power. By 2030, the market for these technologies is expected to be worth billions of US dollars as more large domestic industries replace liquid fuels with cleaner fuel sources. Meanwhile, the state-owned Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), which is responsible for generating, transmitting and distributing most of the country’s electricity, has already made major strides towards replacing liquid fuels with natural gas as a fuel source. Furthermore, it has significantly grown the national grid’s renewable energy capacity,” Dr Jefrey Pilusa, a JG Afrika Technical Engineer, says.
Pilusa led the team of JG Afrika engineers who supplied professional process, electrical and mechanical engineering services to this client, while working alongside a local partner.
After quantifying liquid fuel use at the refinery, various appropriate, applicable and feasible ways of reducing reliance on fossil fuels to generate steam for the refinery process were identified. This included the application of renewable energy technologies; innovative energy efficiency and management practices; and connecting the refinery to the national grid since SEC is diversifying its energy mix to include renewable energy sources.
Considering JG Afrika’s leadership in renewable energy, which also includes wide participation in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, Pilusa believes that there is significant scope for the company to provide further professional technical services to the country.
“Our first project in Saudi Arabia was a resounding success, while also providing us with an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with country’s culture which is uniquely different to ours back home and on the rest of the continent. As a team, are very proud of this project and certainly look forward to potentially more in the country,” Pilusa concludes.
