Caterpillar, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment, recently announced that its Saudi dealer Zahid Tractor has been selected by one of the main contractors to supply power solutions that deliver 32 MW of prime power for one of the kingdom’s most ambitious developments.

The Red Sea Project, a 28,000-sq-km regenerative tourism destination, is currently under development along Saudi Arabia’s west coast.

As per the deal, Zahid Tractor will supply 69 generator sets capable of running on both conventional diesel and B100 biodiesel to supply energy during the construction phase of The Red Sea Project.

The project leverages Caterpillar’s expertise in supplying and maintaining field-proven power solutions that have enabled operation on various hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), biodiesel, and blended fuel products for more than a decade.

The luxury tourist destination will include a total of 16 hotels, an international airport and other commercial operations scheduled for completion in 2023.

Zahid Tractor has already delivered, installed and commissioned most of the generator sets in weather-resistant, sound-attenuated enclosures that are currently being used to support construction activities and workforce accommodation.

It is also addressing uptime needs through Customer Value Agreements (CVAs), which include customer technician training, regular maintenance at scheduled intervals, and around-the-clock, on-demand technical support.

Additionally, most of the units are equipped with Cat Connect Remote Access Monitoring (RAM), Caterpillar’s advanced data visualisation, reporting and alert offering, according to Caterpillar.

Bart Myers, the General Manager for Caterpillar Large Electric Power, says: “The Red Sea Project is a global showcase for demonstrating how large-scale economic development projects can incorporate sustainability into their operations to help them achieve their business goals.”

Myers points out that both Caterpillar and Zahid Tractor have the advanced technologies and local expertise needed to support every phase of this high-profile project and help attain its business and sustainability targets.

Caterpillar delivers innovative power systems engineered for sustainability, durability, reliability and value. The company offers worldwide product support, with parts and services packaged in customer value agreements available through the Cat authorized dealer network.

New genset

Among its latest innovations is the 310 kVA Cat XQP310 generator set, the company’s latest mobile power solution meeting European Union (EU) Stage V emission standards for engines used in non-road mobile machinery.

Available through the global Cat dealer network, the Cat XQP310 follows the launch of the 200 kVA Cat XQP200 mobile generator set in 2021 and demonstrates Caterpillar’s ability to meet the 90 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides when compared with the Stage IIIA standard, as well as other changes specified by Stage V standards.

“With 12 per cent more power than its predecessor, the Cat XQP310 is engineered for flexibility by easily switching between 50 and 60 Hz and across a range of voltages. This allows one machine to satisfy varying load requirements in diverse regions and applications, such as mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction,” says Tom Caldwell, Global General Manager for Electric Power Rental Solutions.

Fully designed and tested by Caterpillar, the Cat XQP310 uses proven technology to enable simple, reliable operation. It is equipped with Cat Connect technology to remotely track and manage the generator set and improve operational efficiency. Through a subscription, the telematics send real-time information on fuel level, AdBlue/diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level, battery voltage, and run status. 

Cat mobile generator sets meeting EU Stage V emission standards offer numerous features that make them ideal for rental applications, he adds. They are equipped with the EMCP 4.2B digital control panel, which provides all generator set controls and system indicators in a single, easy-to-access interface. Programmable logic controller (PLC) functionality improves reliability and flexibility for accommodating changes in processes or application requirements.

They are designed with a dual-wall fuel tank with an open bund that helps to protect the environment by containing spills, while coastal ingress protection (CIP) enables operation in harsh conditions.