Samantha Keck talks with Prabish Thomas, managing director of solar energy solutions provider PTL Solar, on the company’s progress in the sector
What are the recent achievements of PTL Solar?
Solar Panels
Prabish Thomas (PT): We have a new office in Riyadh, which is part of our regional expansion programme, wherein we aim to be present in all the GCC countries within 2010. The first step is to be operational from the KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]. On February 4, the licensing was done and we should be operational in the next three weeks.
And then from Riyadh, we would also be looking into probably having another office in Jeddah. Our next target will be Oman. We have a lot of solar projects in KSA, one of which is the King Abdullah Economic City and [the King Abdullah] University [of Science and Technology]. These are projects where we can demonstrate our strengths [as] this is where our forte lies.
Are there any confirmed projects that you will be handling in KSA?
PT: We are negotiating with clients, and they want demonstrations of solar energy and energy-efficient projects. I would refrain from naming any of them until they are confirmed.
Do you see a very big market for solar projects in the region?
PT: We are very optimistic about the market.
What about PTL Solar’s achievement in Africa?
PT: We have an office in Nigeria, and we opened up an office a few months back in Djibouti and we are looking at markets in Ethiopia and Somalia. These are places where people generally fear to tread, but our technicians and engineers are very proactive [about them]. We had an installation done in Somalia. Most of these projects are funded by NGOs [nongovernment organisations].
The Somalia project was appealing to us as it was to power an orphanage. The project had a humanitarian touch, and we felt very strongly about doing something to help the orphans. Our team was very enthusiastic about going to Somalia, and now [we] feel very contented about having done something good.
Can you speak more about your operations in Djibouti?
PT: There was an opportunity for us to be operational from Africa . . . . We look at Djibouti itself, then Ethiopia and Somalia. For East African operations, we should be operational from Kenya very soon. Kenya will be our HQ for East African operations. We are more involved in infrastructure projects in Africa.
Let’s talk about corporate social responsibility. How do you see CSR in PTL Solar? PT: As an alternative energy company, we feel that we have to give back something to society. As our CSR, what we do is we have a programme called ‘Solar for Schools’, wherein we educate the next generation about going green. We believe that the practice of going green is a habit that needs to be developed. The best is to target the younger generation.
We also support a lot of university students, where they have to do projects using solar energy. Even in schools down in Africa, the earthquake in Haiti, we have sent our solar lighting kits. This is part of our CSR programme. We sent the kits to Haiti upon a request from an NGO. They were looking for solar lights for the victims in the Haiti earthquake. We took the issue back to our manufacturer and they were supportive enough to join in the cause. It was not a huge shipment, but it was one shipment of lights that we sent to Haiti.
How do you see the market for solar energy and related products in the UAE and the whole region?
PT: We feel it will be more of an industrial application and, once the government takes a larger role in the solar industry, then it will be more of a residential application.
Grid ties are being negotiated now to be implemented in the UAE. It means you can install a solar power generation on the roof of your house, and it will be connected to your utility provider. This is a decision taken by the utility provider.
We hear that Abu Dhabi is opening up to grid tie systems, and that is something that will really boost the industry. You will see a lot of global companies coming in to pitch in and give their expertise to the region. That will develop the economy, more employment opportunities with more companies coming in. And then we also see opportunities in terms of infrastructure development and power generation systems. We are looking at a lot of applications that will be tied to solar power. Once the industry develops, you will also have the trading opportunities.
There is no UAE standardised guide for solar power.
Is there any nationwide guideline that you have heard of which will come out soon?
PT: What we have realised is that the UAE always goes for the best, so there is no compromise when it comes to the quality of services. The government is probably trying [its] best to formalise which system will be implemented.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are studying ways in which they will want to go with the grid tie system. We also hear from a lot of support partners, suppliers and manufacturers that they are working on lots of projects in making sure that the systems which are effective in Europe or the US can also be adapted to the UAE or the Middle East environment.
Sooner or later, it will have to be implemented.
Is the market bigger for retro-fitting or new projects?
PT: It will be more towards new projects.
What’s the difference in doing business between Africa and the Middle East?
PT: The market is more mature in Africa, more advanced. Their solar power is [being] used because they have a need for it. Over here, we do not have the need [for such]. So in Africa, since they have a need [for it], they are more adaptable.
There are a lot of players there, a lot more end-users. So the clients are familiar with solar systems, so it’s more of an educated market
Is cheap oil an obstacle to solar power development?
PT: In power generation, probably yes. But Abu Dhabi is showing a lot of commitment to go solar, and that is a vote of confidence.
What are your initiatives for 2010?
PT: We are trying to bring in proven expertise and proven assistance, and what else that we have done in Europe and the US to this region. That’s why we are partnering with some of the world’s largest companies in terms of bringing in technical knowhow, rather than just bringing in products.
Abu Dhabi proclaims it will be the leading solar energy hub in the region. Do you think it can do it?
PT: Yes, they are already starting it and that shows commitment. The rest of the Middle East region has talked about it so far, but hat’s off to the Abu Dhabi government for actually executing it.
They are probably ahead by two years. The good thing is if another country wants to implement similar projects, they can learn from Abu Dhabi and Masdar.
How environmentallyconscious would you rate the UAE population?
PT: Here almost everything comes for free and people do not feel the pinch. Here you are paying one of the world’s lowest tariffs. The government is now implementing slab charges, but still the tariffs are low. Do we really bother to switch off the lights when we go out of the room? It’s only through education that you can make energy saving habits a fact of life.
What does PTL stand for?
PT: Our market is mainly the Middle East and Africa. Now it’s the Middle East but earlier it was Africa. More than 85% of our business was to power the lights. Solar was not used to generate power but to power the lights. PTL = Power the Light. If you were to take a look at the largest projects that we have done, they were lighting projects.
In 2007, we did the world’s largest airport lighting project in private airport lighting. In Iraq, we have done some of the largest light installations. In Nigeria, we have done a 1,000-street lighting project. PTL stands for reliability. Our installations are reliable and have been operational for up to two years. We also are putting our efforts to develop the industry. We have been operational in Dubai since 2005 and we pride ourselves on setting and achieving industry standards.
Customers and end-users should feel that going solar is a reliable solution. We strive for our solutions to be always more reliable.
Let’s talk about you. What’s your professional background?
PT: After my MBA, I got involved in solar energy . . . and in 2005, I started my own business in solar. There were other companies which did some solar energy, but no company which focused its business 100% on solar energy. For me, my business challenge was to make solar my bread and butter. I am proud to say that until today, we have not diversified.
Pick three words to describe yourself.
PT: I would pick ‘powering sustainable growth’. Growth is a need and growth cannot survive unless it’s sustainable. And we believe that we must power growth in a sustainable manner, hence it is also the motto of our company.
