As a trusted Engineering Consultancy, we have had the opportunity to contribute to some of the most innovative energy and infrastructure projects across the globe. In our company blog we will be taking the opportunity to showcase the experience and expertise of the people behind these projects. Written by our employees, the blog is a collaboration between our network of offices to provide an insight not only into the Fichtner Group, who we are and what we do, but also a place to write about topics that affect our industry, clients and business.

After Saudi-Arabia’s first large-scale photovoltaic project won the “PFI Power Deal of the Year − Middle East and Africa” award for 2018, its first large-scale wind power project, Dumat Al Jandal (DAJ), is set to follow by receiving the 2019 “PFI Renewable Deal of the Year − Middle East and Africa” award on 5 February 2020 (Go to PFI Awards, under “View the Roll of Honour”). Fichtner acted as technical advisor for the tendering and contract award phase of the project. We join our client in celebrating this prestigious award.

The trade fair for technologies and management solutions in the water, energy and environment sectors took place from 21 to 23 October 2019. We invited you to join us at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center to discuss with our experts tomorrow’s questions on intelligent and efficient power generation, such as renewable energies; hybrid power and battery storage; smart grids; power system and grid integration; the latest desalination and pre-treatment technologies; waste water treatment; asset management; or transactions.

The Hydro 2019 Conference & Exhibition took place in Porto, Portugal on 14-16 October 2019. The hydropower conference brought together people from some 80 countries to focus on the most relevant topics facing the sector today. The key topics of discussion included planning and finance, innovative approaches to design and construction, safety and disaster risk management, modelling, selection of robust and efficient equipment, and environmental and social issues. Our experts hold several presentations during the conference.

On 19 September 2019, the Luneng Haixi 50 MW CSP Project was successfully connected to the grid. It is part of the Luneng Haixi Complementary Multi-energy Demonstration Project located in Golmud, China. The Project also includes 400 MW of wind power, 200 MW of photovoltaic and 50 MW of energy storage. The plant is composed of a solar tower with a height of 188 m, 4,400 heliostats and 12 hours of molten salt storage. Fichtner was involved as owner’s engineer. Congratulations to our client, Luneng, on this great achievement!

Tunisia announces the grid-connection of the 10 MW facility in the south of the country. Fichtner is proud of having supported the state-owned utility Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz (STEG). The project was financed by the German development bank KFW. On another project, record low-priced proposals have been obtained in Tunisia’s IPP tender process. Here, Fichtner supported the German development agency GIZ as Technical Advisor.

The first corporate photovoltaic PPA in KSA has been signed between the dairy company NADEC and French energy group Engie. The project will help to reduce HFO consumption and the carbon footprint. Fichtner supported NADEC with the feasibility study and the BOO implementation.

Saudi Arabia’s first and the Middle East’s largest wind power project has reached financial close. The Dumat Al Jandal project was awarded in January 2019 for the record-tariff of 2.13 US cents/kWh to a consortium comprising EDF and Masdar. Fichtner acted as technical consultant for the tender and award phase of the project. We are delighted that financial close of the project was reached.

Dr. Peter Schoof, the new German ambassador to Indonesia, visited the construction site of the landfill in Sidoarjo, Java, at the end of April and was accompanied by the head of the Indonesian KfW office, Angela Tormin. The ‘Emission Reduction In Cities’ project is financed by KfW and currently comprises three different construction sites, two of which are in East Java and one in Sumatra.

Over the next five years, Fichtner will assist transmission system operator TenneT TSO by providing services during the permitting, preparation, execution and site supervision phases of its onshore grid expansion projects. We have been supporting TenneT in onshore and offshore projects for a number of years now.

With its third CSP power plant now connected to the grid, the “Ouarzazate” thermal solar power plant complex has attained its designated total power capacity of 510 MW. On 15 August 2018, the steam turbine generator set of Noor 3 Solar Tower Power Plant began feeding into the Moroccan power grid. Fichtner served as Independent Engineer for all three of the CSP plants.

With 25 qualified bidders, the bidding process for a trailblazing 30 MW / 60 MWh electrical energy storage project in Jordan began on 6 July 2018. It will be the largest of its kind in the Middle East and will have a revolutionary contract concept. Fichtner is supporting the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources with the bidding process and subsequent selection of the preferred bidder.

On the initiative of EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, representatives of energy authorities from the Gulf region visited Germany to exchange experiences gained with clean energy technologies and applications. Fichtner organized the one-week tour of Germany including six site visits.

With the start-up of Quweira 103 MW Photovoltaic Power Plant in the south of the country, the Jordanian government took a further step in implementing its ambitious renewable energies development plan. Acting as Owner’s Engineer, Fichtner provided assistance to the project.

ACWA Power has won a 300 MW photovoltaics tender with a record tariff of the equivalent of 2.34 US cents/kWh. Fichtner is assisting the ministry responsible in implementing the country’s first PV and wind IPP projects.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first wind farm was officially inaugurated on 14 March 2018. Fichtner assisted JP Elektroprivreda HZHB, a state-owned power utility company, with the planning, construction and grid connection of this 50.6 MW wind farm consisting of 22 Siemens turbines.

TenneT has awarded Fichtner, together with two other companies, with contracts for the maintenance of onshore and offshore converter station components and AC power transmission systems in the North Sea.

Energy transition: Together with more than 60 partners, we are working on the C/sells demonstration project to test the system of the future which consists of autonomous cells.

The third and final unit of the 1200 MW Lai Chau Hydropower Plant in Vietnam went into operation six months ahead of schedule.