Posts

MASE to Operate, Maintain & Manage Al Kawn’s Solar PV Plants

al-kawn-featured-image-2

MASE signs operations, maintenance and asset management contract for two commercial wheeling solar PV plants

  • The commercial plants are located in the cities of Al Sult and Ras Al Naqab 
  • The plants are connected to the distribution network and will feed to the respective grids via a wheeling arrangement
  • One of the few regional examples of solar plants installed with bi-facial solar PV panels
  • MASE will carry out a turn-key O&M services and asset management scope 

Amman – Jordan, December 2020: MASE, the leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm, and Al Kawn Radio & TV Broadcasting, a principal owner and operator of radio and TV broadcasting platforms in Jordan, announce the signing of an operations, maintenance and asset management contract for two commercial-scale solar PV plants located in Al Sult and Ras Al Naqab, Jordan.  The plants, developed and owned by Al Kawn, are interconnected to the local distribution networks on a wheeling arrangement.  They have been financed by the Cairo Amman Bank under a commercial loan agreement.

The plants, which have a combined installed capacity of 280 kWp, are fitted with the latest bi-facial panel technology and cutting-edge Huawei string inverters.

Under the contract, MASE will carry out turn-key operations, maintenance and management services comprising preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance to ensure the plant’s long-term performance and optimal availability.  MASE will also carry out asset management services comprising periodical management reporting and to ensure compliance with owner, grid and lender requirements.

O&M for solar plants fitted with bi-facial panel technology

The Al Kawn Solar PV Plants are fitted with bi-facial solar panels, representing a unique and exciting operational challenge, particularly as it relates to periodical panel cleaning.  MASE has devised a unique operational approach which resulted from a particular design for the panels allocation process.  In undertaking the operations and maintenance for the facilities, MASE will establish a proven track record for bi-facial solar panel maintenance.

 

-Ends-

About Al Kawn Radio & TV Broadcasting

Al Kawn is Jordan’s leading owner and operator of radio and TV broadcasting platforms.  The company owns and operates three FM radio channels – Radio Rotana, Radio Fann and Yaqeen FM – and one satellite and digital TV channel – Amman TV.  With the commissioning of its two commercial-scale solar PV plants, Al Kawn will offset nearly 100% of its broadcasting electricity consumption across Jordan.

About MASE’s O&M Value Proposition

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.  In May 2020, we signed an O&M contract to operate and maintain CIM’s Falcon Ma’an Solar PV Plant.

 

/by

MASE Joins Jordan Strategy Forum

mase-jsf

MASE joins the Jordan Strategy Forum as its newest clean energy-focused member

  • JSF is a leading Jordanian think tank on economic development
  • It’s by-invitation only membership ensures a dynamic vetting process
  • As a JSF member, MASE will leverage its award-winning track record to provide actionable insights in the field of clean energy

Amman, Jordan – September 2020, MASE, the leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm, has joined the Jordan Strategy Forum as its newest clean energy-focused member.  MASE will leverage its award-wining track record and knowledge base in developing and operating utility-scale solar PV plants across the region to provide the Forum with actionable insights in the field of clean energy.

 

“The opportunity to be part of Jordan’s leading economic development think tank is something that we are very excited about.  At MASE, we’ve developed a deep understanding of how clean energy power generation assets can positively impact Jordan’s energy infrastructure and we look forward to sharing those insights to advance Jordan’s energy ambitions and advocate for energy diversity across Jordan’s grid”, said Tareq Khalifeh, MASE’s Managing Director.

 

JSF has been an instrumental platform in bridging together Jordan’s private and public institutions.  The Forum’s member base includes an array of Jordan’s most reputable firms operating across diverse business sectors and the Forum has become renowned for its high-profile events.

 

On his part, JSF’s CEO His Excellency DR. Ibrahim Saif said: “we are very excited to welcome MASE as a member of the Jordan Strategy Forum. I am thankful for your trust in us and very sure that it will be a win-win relationship. The forum is only as strong as its base of members, and we are counting on your active contribution to our committees and activities.”

 

-Ends-

 

About Jordan Strategy Forum

Jordan Strategy Forum is a leading think tank on Economic development. Founded on August 30, 2012, JSF was formed in order to enable the private sector to engage in constructive dialogue on local economic issues and achieve comprehensive economic development. From start-ups to established companies and medium-sized firms, JSF consists of a variety of companies, in addition to scholars and specialists of the Jordanian economy.

 

About MASE

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.  In May 2020, we signed an O&M contract to operate and maintain CIM’s Falcon Ma’an Solar PV Plant.

/by

MASE to Operate & Maintain CIM’s Shamsuna Solar PV Plant

Shamsuna

MASE signs operations and maintenance contract for Shamsuna 10 MW Solar PV Plant

  • Located in Aqaba, the Plant is part of Jordan’s Round I Renewable Energy Program and a member of IFC’s Seven Sisters
  • MASE will carry out a turn-key O&M services scope 

Amman, Jordan – May 2020: MASE, the leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm, signed a turn-key contract with Catalyst Investment Management (CIM) to operate and maintain the Shamsuna 10 MW Solar PV Plant located within Solar Park I of the Ma’an Development Area in Ma’an, Jordan.  The Plant, owned by CIM, is part of Jordan’s Round I Renewable Energy IPP Program.  It is financed by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), acting as mandate lender for the Seven Sisters Program, together with the Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO).

Under the contract, MASE will carry out turn-key operations, maintenance and management services comprising preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance to ensure the plant’s long-term performance and optimal availability.  MASE was selected by CIM as part of a competitive request for proposal process, which involved technical and commercial due diligence carried out by the project lenders and their technical advisers.  The process and subsequent award further cements the bankability of MASE’s solar O&M value proposition and adds upon its rapidly growing operational track record in Jordan.

A case for operating brownfield PV plants in Jordan       

The Shamsuna Solar PV Plant was commissioned in February 2016 and operates under a 20-year PPA with the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).  The Plant was constructed by Enerray as EPC Contractor, also acting as O&M up until the handover to MASE, as second-term O&M service provider.  The O&M contract with MASE will be one of the first major involvement of a specialized O&M firm in a brownfield utility-scale solar PV plant in Jordan and is expected to set a local contractual and operational precedent for other solar assets opting to decommission the involvement of the EPC Contractor in the longer-term operations and maintenance.

 

-Ends-

About Catalyst Investment Management

Catalyst Investment Management (also known as Catalyst Private Equity) is a specialized energy and water sector investment management company operating out of Jordan, covering primarily the Middle East and North Africa.

CIM’s goal is to help create, invest in, and grow a world class base of renewable energy projects and value added companies that primarily supply the energy and water treatment sectors. These companies range from project developers and projects, to technology developers, to product developers that will help grow and maintain the region’s vital energy and water sectors. Given the region’s global significance in these sectors, the region becomes a platform for the global market. CIM partners with international and regional technology and industry specialists to support this vision.

About MASE’s O&M Value Proposition

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.  In May 2020, we signed an O&M contract to operate and maintain CIM’s Falcon Ma’an Solar PV Plant.

/by

MASE to Operate & Maintain Falcon Ma’an Solar Plant

Falcon Ma'an Plant

MASE inks operations and maintenance contract for Falcon Ma’an 23 MW Solar PV Plant

  • Plant developed and owned by Catalyst Investment Management, a leading clean energy developer
  • MASE will carry out a turn-key O&M services scope 
  • Contract further cements the bankability of MASE’s solar O&M value proposition

Amman, Jordan – May 2020: MASE, a leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm, signed a turn-key contract with Catalyst Investment Management (CIM) to operate and maintain the Falcon Ma’an 23 MW Solar PV Plant located within Solar Park I of the Ma’an Development Area in Ma’an, Jordan.  The Plant, developed and owned by CIM, is part of Jordan’s Round I Renewable Energy IPP Program.  It is financed by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), acting as mandate lender for the Seven Sisters Program, together with the Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO).

Under the contract, MASE will carry out turn-key operations, maintenance and management services comprising preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance to ensure the plant’s long-term performance and optimal availability.  MASE was selected by CIM as part of a competitive request for proposal process, which involved technical and commercial due diligence carried out by the project lenders and their technical advisers.  The process and subsequent award further cements the bankability of MASE’s solar O&M value proposition and adds upon its rapidly growing operational track record in the region.

A case for brownfield PV plants in Jordan       

The Falcon Ma’an Plant was commissioned in October 2016 and operates under a 20-year PPA with the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).  The Plant was constructed by Enerray as EPC Contractor, also acting as O&M up until the handover to MASE, as second-term O&M service provider.  The O&M contract with MASE is considered the first major involvement of a specialized O&M firm in a brownfield utility-scale solar PV plant in Jordan and is expected to set a local contractual and operational precedent for other solar assets opting to decommission the involvement of the EPC Contractor in the longer-term operations and maintenance.

 

-Ends-

About Catalyst Investment Management

Catalyst Investment Management (also known as Catalyst Private Equity) is a specialized energy and water sector investment management company operating out of Jordan, covering primarily the Middle East and North Africa.

CIM’s goal is to help create, invest in, and grow a world class base of renewable energy projects and value added companies that primarily supply the energy and water treatment sectors. These companies range from project developers and projects, to technology developers, to product developers that will help grow and maintain the region’s vital energy and water sectors. Given the region’s global significance in these sectors, the region becomes a platform for the global market. CIM partners with international and regional technology and industry specialists to support this vision.

About MASE’s O&M Value Proposition

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.  In December 2019, we signed an O&M contract to operate and maintain the Masdar City Solar PV Plant on behalf of Masdar, a leading regional renewable energy developer.

/by

MASE Kicks Off 2020 with Offsite in Thessaloniki

MASE Kicks Off 2020 in Thessaloniki

MASE kicks off 2020 with an offsite annual assembly in the coastal town of Thessaloniki, Greece

  • Team looks back at 2019, appraises accomplishments and lessons learnt 
  • Agrees on strategy and targets for 2020 and beyond
  • Commemorates successful collaboration with international O&M partners

Thessaloniki, Greece – February 2020: MASE, the leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm with over 100 MW of assets under management , has kicked off the year 2020 with an offsite team retreat to Thessaloniki, a coastal port town in Greece.  The gathering encompassed the company’s 2020 Kick Off Assembly, a high-level annual event during which core members of the MASE team discuss accomplishments, compare targets, assess shortcomings and agree on the strategy for the year ahead.

This year’s version of the Kick Off Assembly also included a commemorative event with Alectris, a MASE O&M partner company based out of Thessaloniki and operating globally.  The successful collaboration between MASE and Alectris started in 2015 when the two companies signed an innovative technical services agreement targeting utility-scale solar O&M.  Ever since, MASE and Alectris have both achieved leadership status in their own right and the companies look forward to continued successful collaboration during the years ahead.

In 2019, MASE realized a number of key achievements including adding over 70 MW of solar O&M capacity under management, established operations in the UAE and earned a number of industry awards.  During 2019, the MASE team grew by adding 13 team members.

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved at MASE in 2019 and it was great to be able celebrate this with the team in Thessaloniki, a scenic gem!” said Tareq Khalifeh, MASE’s Managing Director

As for the strategy for the period ahead, MASE will continue its dedication towards long-term solar performance.  The Company will focus efforts on growing solar O&M capacity under management in Jordan and regionally and will continue to accelerate workforce capabilities and operational advancement.

 

-Ends-

 

 

/by

MASE Signs O&M Contract for Masdar City Solar Plant

masdar-city-photovoltaic-header

MASE to operate and maintain the iconic Masdar City Solar PV Plant in Abu Dhabi

  • Contract will set a regional precedent for O&M of brownfield PV plants
  • MASE Services Middle East Limited will carry out the turnkey services
  • Masdar will rely on MASE for plant performance and availability

Abu Dhabi, UAE – December 2019: MASE has signed a contract with Masdar Specialized Technical Services (MSTSC), a Masdar company, to operate and maintain Masdar’s Solar PV Plant located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.  The 10 MW solar PV Plant was the first grid-connected renewable energy project in the UAE and the largest of its kind in the Middle East when inaugurated in 2009.  The O&M services will be carried out by MASE Services Middle East Limited, MASE’s UAE subsidiary.

The iconic facility, developed and owned by Masdar, is located at the heart of the cutting-edge Masdar City – an iconic multi-usage real estate development that drives and implements sustainability concepts and green technologies across all of its corners – and produces about 17,500 megawatt-hours of clean electricity annually and offsets 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.  It consists of 87,780 multi-crystalline and thin-film modules.

Setting a regional precedent for brown field PV plants in the region

With the Plant approaching it’s half-life of ten years, the O&M Contract is expected to set a regional precedent for a multitude of facets pertaining to the operations and maintenance of brownfield utility-scale solar PV projects.  The undertaking will set a local and regional benchmark for O&M best-practices associated with the appointment of a specialized O&M service provider to care for solar assets of relatively older age.

In carrying out its O&M services for the Plant, MASE will also implement a contemporary approach aimed at redressing common plant degradation issues to revamp performance, enhance availability and increase longevity.  MASE will execute best-in-class services utilizing the innovative technology comprising advanced module cleaning, digitized ticketing and automated processes.

 

-Ends-

About Masdar

Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar is advancing the commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy, sustainable urban development and clean technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, our mandate is to help maintain the UAE’s leadership in the global energy sector, while supporting the diversification of both its economy and energy sources for the benefit of future generations. Masdar’s renewable energy projects are located in the UAE, Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt, Morocco, the UK, Serbia, Spain, Montenegro and North America.

Contacts:
E-mail: press@masdar.ae
Tel enquiries in Arabic: +971 2 653 3333
Tel enquiries in English: +971 2 653 6014
For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

About MASE’s O&M Value Proposition

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.

/by

MASE Signs O&M Contract for MOE Solar Plants

MASE Arabia One Solar OM header

MASE inks O&M Contract for Ministry of Education’s two utility-scale solar PV plants

  • Contract awarded based on competitive bidding process
  • MASE will carry out turnkey O&M services for the two brownfield plants

Amman, Jordan – October 2019: MASE has signed a contract with Jordan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) to operate, maintain and manage the Ministry’s two utility-scale solar PV plants located in Ma’an and Mafraq, each with an installed capacity of 1,000 kW (1 MW).  The plants were developed by the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC) on behalf of the MOE in 2016 and their output is utilized to offset the electricity consumption for a number of schools and MOE offices across Jordan.

The contract was awarded to MASE on the basis of a competitive public tendering process managed by the MOE. As part of the tender evaluation, MASE received the highest technical marks and submitted the most competitive commercial proposal.

MASE’s Commercial O&M Team has been entrusted with managing the plants and will carry out a turnkey scope comprising performance engineering, preventive, corrective and conditional maintenance, in addition to emergency response and corrective maintenance.

 

-Ends-

About MASE’s O&M Value Proposition

MASE operates, maintains and manages commercial and utility-scale solar PV plants with a combined capacity exceeding 100 MWp of operating assets under management.  Our dedication is to long-term performance and our award-winning operations and maintenance value proposition comprises a turn-key scope covering preventive and corrective maintenance, performance engineering and rehabilitation.

In June 2019, we received the ‘Fastest Growing O&M Service Provider’ award for the MENA region from International Finance Magazine, a leading UK-based industry publication.

/by

MASE Team Member Research Paper Published in Science Direct

aya-publication

Science Direct publishes research article co-authored by MASE’s Aya Al-Hmoud

The Internet – July 2019: Science Direct, a leading publisher of scientific and research content, has published a research paper titled ‘Comparative CFD analysis of thermal energy storage materials in photovoltaic/thermal panels’.  The article was co-authored by MASE’s Aya Al-Hmoud (Design & Analysis Engineer) who conducted research and developed findings during her time completing her Master’s of Science degree in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering from University of Surrey in 2018.

At MASE, Aya is responsible for designing commercial and industrial solar PV systems and analyzing the performance of operational solar PV assets as part of the Company’s operations and maintenance value proposition.

The research article is organized into four main sections.  The authors use a transient Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation to compare the performance of desert sand to that of well-established phase-change materials used in photovoltaic/thermal systems. The simulation gives as a result the temperature profiles within the device as well as the time evolution of the charge/discharge cycles when using PCMs. The results show the suitability of desert sand as a thermal storage material to be used in photovoltaic/thermal systems.

The research article can be accessed through the following link.

 

-Ends-

/by

MASE to Speak at HBS Asia Business Conference 2019

HBS

MASE’s Tareq Khalifeh to speak at Harvard Business School Asia Business Conference 2019

Boston, Massachusetts – February 2019: MASE’s Tareq Khalifeh will be among a group of established energy entrepreneurs and professionals at the Harvard Business School Asia Business Conference 2019.  The Conference will be held at the Harvard Business School campus on Sunday March 3, 2019.

Khalifeh will join the Energy Panel to explore the current situation of energy markets across the region. The Panel will also discuss the efforts of individual countries and regional efforts and address the actions needed to adequately prepare the region for future challenges. As the only Arab panel member, Khalifeh will focus on presenting energy models in the Middle East and Gulf, challenges facing power and energy markets and innovative measures being implemented to address contemporary energy market challenges across the region.

 

About the Harvard Business School Asia Business Conference 2019

Since 1994, the student-run Asia Business Conference at Harvard Business School has hosted dynamic discussions on Asia by thought leaders in a range of disciplines and fields. Today, it is the largest student-run conference on Asia in North America, drawing hundreds of attendees from not only the Harvard and greater Boston community, but also from all over the world.

This year’s conference will take place on Sunday, March 3rd 2019 at Harvard Business School under the theme “The Game Changers: Consumers. Shapers. Innovators.”, recognizing that Asia is increasingly influencing the world’s trends in multiple sectors.

/by

MASE Participates in GIZ-Funded O&M Workshop

JGCE

JGCE

 

MASE participates in workshop addressing technical skills development for solar O&M and asset management, organised by the Jordanian-German Center of Excellence for Solar Technicians in Mafraq 

Amman, Jordan – January 2019: Ady Almadanat, MASE’s Lead Engineer / Utility O&M, has participated on behalf of MASE in a workshop organised by the Jordanian-German Center of Excellence for Solar Technicians in Mafraq addressing technical skills development for solar O&M and asset management.  The workshop was attended by key members of the Center and candidate technicians from the city of Mafraq and was held at the Jordanian Construction Contractors Association (JCCA).

MASE’s presentation examined the typical project life cycle of utility-scale solar PV plants, job creation and functions across the various project functions. The presentation also focused on identifying the key skill-sets required for solar O&M and asset management technicians.

 

About the Jordanian-German Center of Excellence for Solar Technicians in Mafraq

The Center was established in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with the financial support of King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area and Orange Jordan and is aimed at building the capacity and availability of solar technicians in the city of Mafraq and its surrounding areas.

/by

Portfolio Items