Sparks Electrical News May 2019

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

9

TRANSFORMING TRANSPARENCY IN THE SUB-METERING INDUSTRY

C ontractors, both in the electrical and plumbing industries, have to juggle a myriad of details in their working life. From the complexities of installation to managing customer expecta- tions and requirements, their role is challenging and varied. For these installers, having visibility into how a sub-metering system works, how the hardware is developed, and how to assist customers with anything from registration to troubleshooting, would make their lives a lot easier. Which is why Citiq Prepaid consistently invests in innovative solu- tions designed to do just that… “We are always asking ourselves – what we can do to solve some of the challenges that our installers face?” says Carel Scheepers, GM: Sales at Citiq Prepaid. “What can we put in place to offer them long-term value and support? These questions un- derpin the solutions we develop and our commitment to our partners at every level.” For an installer, product specifications, board approvals such as

channel and the value chain. It has invested in two call centres that provide both contractors and their customers with ongoing trouble- shooting advice and guidance and makes registration as seamless and transparent as possible. “We walk with the installer through every step of the process, from purchase to installation, to the management of customer expectations because we believe that ease of use and true partner support are criti- cal in building relationships and businesses,” concludes Scheepers. Citiq Prepaid has also invested into the Citiq Installation Club (CIC) – a rewards programme designed specifically to recognise the hard work and contributions of installers when they work with the company. A first of its kind programme, the CIC is focused on giving back to Citiq Prepaid’s partners.

To this end, Citiq Prepaid has created the Pocketbook for Installers, an accessible and easy to read directory where you can find the an- swers to all of these questions. An installer’s task is to help a developer or property owner make the best decision for their needs, and to then execute that installation seamlessly. This is one way in which the Pocketbook can streamline installation challenges without expecting the installer to have to pick up the phone – all the answers are right there. “For the landlord, the developer and the body corporate, the Citiq Prepaid sales division provides them with access to specialists coun- try-wide who can be called on to help with the registration and setup of their online profile. Our team can help with general FAQs, profile management, report creation, and many more aspects of successful utility management,” adds Scheepers. Citiq Prepaid goes a step further in its commitment to support the

Enquiries: 087 55 111 11 or www.citiqprepaid.co.za

SABS and IEC, wiring diagrams, and best product fit, are details that provide them with information that is of immense value. It allows them to engage with their customers in an informed manner, giving them the confidence they need to propose the optimal so- lutions to their clients.

FOURTH PHASE OF WORLD’S LARGEST

SOLAR PARK COMPLETED

D ubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and Silk Road Fund, which is owned by the Chinese Government, an- nounced the financial closing of the 950-mega- watt fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site so- lar park in the world. The solar park will produce 5 000 megawatts by 2030, a new milestone in promoting the use of clean and renewable energy. The announcement was made by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, at a press conference. In his speech, Al Tayer noted that this achievement supports DEWA’s efforts to increase the share of renew- able and clean energy in Dubai and strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for clean energy and green economy. “DEWA is implementing the fourth phase of the solar park in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and China’s Silk Road Fund. This phase is the largest single-site investment pro- ject in the world. It uses both Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and photovoltaic solar technologies based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model with investments up to AED15.78 bil- lion. It will use 700 MW of CSP; 600 MW from a parabolic basin complex and 100 MW from a solar tower; and 250 MW from photovoltaic solar panels. This phase will provide clean energy for 320 000 residences and will reduce 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The project, which will cover an area of 44 square kilometres, achieved several world records. These include the world’s lowest CSP Levelised Cost of Electricity of USD 7.3 cents per kilowatt-hour and the lowest Levelised Cost of Electricity for photovoltaic tech- nology of 2.4 US cents per kilowatt-hour. The pro- ject will feature the tallest solar tower in the world at 260 m and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours; allowing for energy availability round the clock,” said Al Tayer.

Enquiries: www.acwapower.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2019