The UAE needs to spend more than $10 billion to meet soaring power demand, with Business Monitor International (BMI) predicting the country will account for 5.77 per cent of regional power generation by 2011.
With aims to leverage the booming power market, Tripp Lite, a manufacturer of power protection and connectivity equipment, has announced plans to expand its current portfolio of power protection and continuity products whilst intensifying its product development initiatives as part of its efforts to further strengthen its position in the market.
In response to escalating demands, the UAE Government has announced plans to expand its 10-gigawatt production capacity by more than 50 per cent by 2017. The government is undertaking necessary action to provide an adequate supply of electricity, especially in rapidly growing emirates such as Dubai, which has recorded a 14 per cent increase per year. Recognising the tremendous potential in leveraging this market, Tripp Lite is aiming to offer more robust power protection and continuity equipment to address the requirements of the UAE market, which uses around 11,000 kilowatt hours per person per year.
“The swelling demand for power in the UAE is being fuelled by the rapid increase in population and unprecedented growth in the nation’s economy, all of which requires tremendous amounts of electricity,” said Vipin Sharma, VP of EEMEA and India sales at Tripp Lite. “With government bodies focusing on ensuring there is adequate power supply to sustain development, we have identified the outstanding prospect in aiding their initiatives by providing highly secure power protection equipment, which not only facilitates continuous electricity supply but enables power conservation as well. In line with this, we will be rolling out a specific plan, which will involve new product launches and further investments into our product development to fully maximise the potential of this market.”
According to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), power consumption in the emirate in 2006 rose by nearly 30 per cent. This increase is reflective of the overall outlook for the region’s electricity usage, which in turn has prompted a dedicated effort to meet demand by increasing regional power generation output. This output is expected to increase by 29.7 per cent to reach 1,473 terawatt hours between last year and 2011. Furthermore, the high cost of power plant construction and maintenance, and shortage of material and skilled operating staff are being met with endeavours to adopt state-of-the-art power protection and continuity solutions, such as those offered by Tripp Lite across the entire region.
Sharma commented: “Despite the various challenges in power production being faced across the region, which includes increasing costs and manpower issues and the continuously growing need for stable power supply, we see significant movements to counter the offsetting effects of a potential power shortage to the region’s economy and stability. In the midst of these obstacles, it is imperative for organisations to be fully prepared to adapt to the increased industrial demand for power as well as its own rising requirements. It is our commitment to aid these companies by delivering robust power protection solutions and undertaking further strides, which will assist in resolving these issues.”
Tripp Lite has achieved 9001, SASO and Bureau Veritas certifications and boasts 15 in-country distributors. The company’s latest project launch includes a bundle of new modular 3-phase UPS systems in the region.
Tripp Lite was the first company to manufacture a UPS system specifically designed for desktop PCs by integrating its inverter technology with a battery charger and transfer switch. With over 16 million Isobars and more than four million UPS systems sold around the world, Tripp Lite remains the leading manufacturer of power protection supplies, including UPS systems, surge suppressors, notebook accessories, line conditioners, cabling and connectivity products and network management accessories. In 1999, Tripp Lite became the exclusive licensee for IBM-brand UPS systems. Tripp Lite says its quality products provide increased reliability and protection to PC workstations, network file servers, telephone systems, point-of-sale terminals, audio/video systems and laboratory equipment.