MEP Middle East – November 2018

SOLAR

20 MEP Middle East | November 2018 http://www.mepmiddleeast.com

COMES

THE SUN

Oman Technical Contracting is focusing more on

solar projects in the Middle East

olar projects are booming in

the GCC, according to  Syed

Mohammad Arif, chairman of

Sharjah-based Oman Technical

Contracting (OTC).

In an inter view with MEP Middle East, Arif

says that the UAE is leading in solar projects.

He says: “UAE is emerging as a solar player,

thanks to the UAE rulers who have a long-

term vision and are always working towards

adopting renewable energy. Generally, three

countries are ver y aggressive in this [solar]

sector: Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad Faisal Khan, managing

director, adds: “Oman is investing a lot in

solar energy now. Lot of Chinese companies

are now entering there and starting to invest

in renewable energy and solar.”

Arif states that China is leading globally

in the solar sector.  He says: “There are two

continents, which are ver y much aggressive

in this sector: Asia and Europe. In Asia,

China is the leader. The difference between

Chinese and European product is that

European products are better, but China is

not far behind. India is also working hard on

this. If you talk about  contractors, the best

contractors are in India now. Sterling and

Wilson is a really big global contractor [on

solar]. European products are slightly better

but they are expensive. People are moving

towards Chinese products because they are

considered value for money. Because in this

industr y, the EPC contractors are charging

the owners for 20 or 30 years. Chinese

products are reliable enough to last for those

periods of time. I believe, China will lead in

this sector.”

Oman Technical Contracting started its

fi rst solar project with India-headquartered

Sterling and Wilson, the subsidiar y of

Shapoorji Pallonji. The fi rm has successfully

completed 185MW to 200MW with the Indian

fi rm. Apart from that, Oman Technical

Contracting is bidding for a few projects in

Oman and Saudi Arabia.  Arif says: “We are

tr ying to go global, and are serious with

the [solar] industr y. We are in touch with

S

UAE is emerging as a

solar player, thanks to the

UAE rulers who have a long-

term vision and are always

working towards adopting

renewable energy.„

Syed Mohammad Arif, chairman

Here