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Poultry farms will have much to crow about
with the hybrid technology

Saudi poultry farms ‘can benefit from solar-diesel power’

RIYADH, September 22, 2014

Saudi Arabia’s agriculture industry is set to benefit from hybridising diesel generators with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, according to a roundtable in Riyadh recently.

The ‘Sustainable Agriculture: A Solar Solution’ roundtable, organised by the Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association (Sasia), heard that the solar-diesel hybrid solutions could reduce fuel costs and increasing energy security for Saudi Arabia's agricultural sector, particularly, its poultry industry.

Abdulmohsen Al Shoaibi, managing partner of DarSolar, said: "Hybrid solar-diesel systems are a viable solution to provide power to Saudi Arabia's poultry producers, many of which are not connected to the national electric grid. Such solutions can help reduce the industry's heavy reliance on diesel fuel.”


As a result of the heavy dependence on diesel fuel, Saudi Arabian poultry companies are incurring notably higher energy costs than Brazilian producers, who accounted for nearly 79 per cent of the kingdom's poultry import in 2012, he said.


Browning Rockwell, executive director of Sasia, said: “At present, domestic poultry production accounts for only 40 to 45 per cent of the Saudi market. However, the share is expected to increase to 60 to 65 per cent in the next five to 10 years, due to massive investments in additional production capacities planned by the top Saudi producers. These expansions will drive further pressure on the demand for diesel fuel.


"Hybrid solar-diesel systems can help local poultry producers remain competitive against imports, by ensuring an affordable and reliable source of power to cool their poultry houses.”


Dar Solar is a Saudi Arabia-owned company that assists solar engineering companies to become established in the kingdom and the Middle East and North Africa region and is currently examining a solar-hybrid solution for a hatchery that consumes 900,000 litres of diesel annually through four generators.


"Given the intermittent nature of solar PV, the existing onsite generation, and the need for continuous power, Dar Solar is evaluating a solar hybrid solution that will likely include the combination of existing generators and PV panels - and potentially, battery storage if needed," highlighted Al Shoaibi.


The roundtable saw attendants from a number of local and foreign establishments, including environmental technical consultancy Altermia Asesores Técnicos, as well as Al Fakieh Poultry, Al Watania Poultry, National Centre of Palm and Dates, and IYA Investment. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Saudi | solar | photovoltaic | roundtable |

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