Regional Insights MENA: Industry Snapshot and Related Cable Considerations
As the MENA countries are seeking to diversify their economies, newer technologies among industries are progressively being prioritised and various countries are competing to grow - attracting multiple international companies and building the regional businesses. As a result, the cable product demand is becoming increasingly critical towards the growth of these industries. Read about the various industries such as power transmission and distribution, renewable solar energy, construction, and oil and gas industries and the importance of specifying third party approved cables to ensure quality and cable safety from our Regional Technical Manager for MENA.
Current trends in the cable industry for the MENA region and the importance given to cable testing and third party approved cables
The MENA region is expected to gain momentum during the next few years on account of the surge in the construction activities, growing electricity generation from renewable sources along with rapidly increasing power demand and development of transmission and distribution infrastructure. Additionally, the government initiatives such as 'Qatar National Vision 2030', 'Saudi Vision 2030', 'UAE Vision 2030', and 'Bahrain Economic Vision 2030' would give a remarkable thrust to the development of the non-oil economy and smart cities, thereby driving the wires and cables market in the region.
Regional manufacturers are introducing new developmental products for various applications or sectors such as solar cables, nuclear cables, marine cables, special oil and gas industry cables, etc. However, when it comes to cable testing or approved cables, the cable manufacturers are driven by market specification for certification, product approval, type testing or conformity assessment. Only few manufacturers are proactive when it comes to the manufacturing process audit and testing by third party for quality assurance.
Independent cable testing from a third party is asked in majority of projects. Only a few specifiers including consultants, project owners and utilities are aware of the importance of approved cables for continuous quality and sustainability rather than just one time type tested cables. BASEC recognises this and is playing a major role in creating awareness, as we believe in quality cables being used in the market. It is essential for specifiers to recognise the need for specifying third-party approved cables in project specifications for all types of cables over type testing.
Q1 - What are the gaps in the power transmission and distribution sector in the region when it comes to electrical cables?
The power transmission and distribution sector is continuously adapting to meet demand and supply requirements of the region, so is the requirement of operation and maintenance of the equipment in the network. When it comes to the operation of Medium Voltage (MV) cables such as 11kV, 22kV and 33kV cables - it is important to reduce faults and breakdowns to ensure longer cable life expectancy. MV cable breakdown can be either electrical, mechanical, or thermal failures; the most common faults in cables reported are:
- Due to partial discharges, electrical stress in voids, and overheating
- Nonconsistency in insulation screen thickness, its bonding with insulation and volume resistivity control
- Loose contact of the metallic screen with the core and its proper coverage for equal electrical stress
- Poor quality of insulation raw materials losing physical properties over the period of operation
- Manufacturing defects not traced - especially in large supply or projects
As a measure, utilities, end clients or consultants must incorporate the approach of specifying certified MV cables or product approved MV cables for continuous quality monitoring. Type Testing of MV Cables which is usually performed once in a lifetime for a particular cable construction, would not be sufficient for quality control in harsh environmental conditions of the MENA region. The hundreds of kilometres of MV Cables and thousands of kilometres of Low Voltage (LV) power cables are used by utilities yearly. The cost for product approval of cables from independent third parties is significantly less compared to cable cost and consequently can help increase the lifecycle of projects through approved cables.
Labours Laying Cables for Distribution Network in MENA
Another approach is through verification type testing of cables. This is where the sample is taken out of large supplies or big projects randomly before installation. A Factory Acceptance Test, FAT, does not cover each test asked in standards due to the limited time of inspection. Therefore, independent verification type tests in big projects could be considered an assurance for cables being installed to identify any manufacturing defects, degraded products, or faulty practices.
Read more about the Power Distribution and Transmission and Download the Medium Voltage Guide here.
Q2 - Renewable energy sources, especially solar power energy is booming around the world. Where do you see the MENA region is standing on this and what is the scope for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) cables?
The Power and Energy sector is under immense reformation, adopting towards renewable energy with solar energy at centre. MENA region is blessed with abundant solar radiations and possibilities of large-scale solar projects. Countries in MENA have geared up and each have their own strong policies on renewables included in their national policies like Saudi 2030. Saudi Arabia has set target of 40 GW of Solar Energy by 2030. UAE will achieve 8.5 GW level by 2025 for Solar PV capacity. There are large projects under construction such as the 7 solar power plants in Saudi Arabia with capacity of 3.7GW, Manah Solar I and II in Oman. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy is expected to generate 75% of Dubai's power from clean energy by 2050; with projects including Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, MBR, with projected capacity of 5GW by 2030 and DEWA’s Shams Dubai initiative. Private stakeholders such as developers, engineering, procurement, and construction companies, EPC, have an important role amid solar projects.
DEWA Solar Innovation - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
In order to ensure sustainability of this express developments, it is essential to focus on long-run quality of equipment in projects including Solar PV Cables. Solar cables are in demand and emerged as one of the main products ranges for cable manufacturers. The two widely used international standards for Solar Cables are BS EN 50618 and IEC 62930 with IEC having some additional testing over EN standard. These cables must pass through numerous tests to qualify to use under direct sun exposure throughout the life in solar PV projects.
Solar PV Cables have various special tests such as UV and Weathering test, Ozone test, Thermal Endurance test, Damp Heat test related to operational conditions which is usually not performed on a regular electrical cable. Project owners, developers, and consultants should emphasise more on these aspects while specifying certified solar cables or approved cables in the projects.
Download Solar Photovoltaic Cables Guide to read more.
Sourcing and specifying cable that have been independently approved by a third party and display the mark of the chosen testing partner, such as BASEC, provides peace of mind that it has undergone the necessary stringent testing and certification processes in line with safety requirements. It is a mark of recognition that stands for quality, clarity and impartiality, to assure those specifying cables that the product is fit for purpose.
To discuss how third-party certification of cables can benefit your business, please contact the BASEC team today.
