Producing high-quality cement in the growing Saudi market

Oil is an integral part of the economy of Saudi Arabia, as the country is the world’s largest producer and exporter of this valuable commodity. However, in recent decades Saudi Arabia has increasingly diversified its economy, and today it produces and exports a variety of industrial goods all over the globe.

Furthermore, while Saudi Arabia battles for market share amid fluctuating oil prices, the rise of new industry segments and economic development will help define the economic significance of Saudi Arabia in the future.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s cement industry has been grown steadily as it has followed the demands of the booming domestic construction market, partly due to government’s aggressive plans to construct so-called ‘Economic Cities’. As a result, the cement manufacturers are setting up new production facilities while also expanding existing facilities to meet the increasing demand. Riyadh Cement Company was established after a feamesibility study in 2003, to meet the growing demand of cement and especially that of high-quality cement. Since 2011, RCC has been operating as a subsidiary of Saudi White Cement Company.

From the beginning, RCC was adamant in finding a solution that would provide operational efficiency in order to gain benefits for both the company itself and its shareholders. In addition, the objective for RCC was to also incorporate high technology and thus, reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions, in their daily operations. Initially, the plan was to obtain electric power from the local grid, but this solution wasn’t feasible due to issues with the construction of transmission lines from the nearest sub-station to the plant. Furthermore, there were some issues with land usage. Because of these setbacks, RCC was forced to look for a new kind of solution in captive power plants. This raised the opportunity for Wärtsilä to offer Wärtsilä 32 generating sets.

The power plant comprises twelve Wärtsilä 20V32 generating sets operating on heavy fuel oil. The plant offers flexible power supply, combined with high operational efficiency. The Wärtsilä 32 generating set has proven its outstanding long-term reliability through its more than 100 million cumulative running hours in installations around the world. Six Wärtsilä 32 gensets delivered to RCC in 2005 have satisfied the electricity need in producing 5000 tons of cement per day. Yet, six more Wärtsilä 32 engines were delivered in 2010, as the need for another daily 5000 tons of cement arose.

RCC has been very satisfied with the solution delivered by Wärtsilä. The EPC contract provided significant value to the company in multiple ways. The contract set RCC free from construction work and other practicalities as Wärtsilä conducted the delivery as a turnkey delivery.

This is what we achieved

MW of electrical output

100,000

Tons of cement produced per day

Ambient temperature

We have been very satisfied with the Wärtsilä solution. EPC contract has brought value to the company in multiple ways.

How we did it

Challenge

Challenging ambient conditions and hot temperatures
Continuous and uninterrupted electricity a necessity in manufacturing business
Riyadh Cement Company able to focus on its core competence of producing cement

Solution

EPC delivery, Wärtsilä takes care of the project up to the last bolt
Wärtsilä 20V32 generating sets suitable for extreme weather conditions
Wärtsilä 20V32 generating sets operating on liquid fuel reliable source of electricity

Benefit

Long-term reliability and operational efficiency saves costs
Peace of mind due to a turnkey solution
Reliability, high operational efficiency and uninterrupted electricity flow secures continuous cement production

Questions? Contact us

The main details

Customer	Riyadh Cement Company
Type	Wärtsilä 32 liquid fuel power plant
Operating mode	Flexible baseload
Gensets	12 x Wärtsilä 20V32
Total output	97 MW
Fuel	HFO
Scope	EPC (engineering, procurement & construction)
Delivered	2005, 2008, 2010

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Related press releases

Wärtsilä delivers power plant extension for Saudi Arabian cement producer

Dec 17, 2014, 00:43 by Wärtsilä Corporation

Wärtsilä Corporation has signed an agreement with Riyadh Cement Company (RCC) to deliver a second power plant for their new cement plant expansion in Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed in May 2008. This turnkey delivery is scheduled for completion by mid-2010 and follows an earlier Wärtsilä power plant delivered to the same customer, which became operational in early 2007.

This extension order comprises five Wärtsilä 20V32 generating sets that will run on heavy fuel oil. They will produce 38 MW of electricity to be used for powering RCC’s second production unit.

The site is located 835 metres above sea level and has an ambient air temperature of 50 degrees C. The 20-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 engines were chosen because of their reliability in operating under such extreme site conditions.

“Wärtsilä and RCC have acted as one team ever since the contract for the first phase was awarded, as a result of which we received trouble free service and uninterrupted electric supply for our first line. Based on the earlier success, we have also awarded the second phase of the power station to Wärtsilä,“ says Mr Naseer Uddin Siddiqui, Assistant General Manager Projects, RCC.

“Having successfully met the customers’ power demands with the previous plant delivery, which we are operating and maintaining under an O&M contract, we are especially pleased to have been awarded this extension project contract. It endorses not only the reputation of the Wärtsilä equipment, but also the support service capability that we are able to provide from our regional office in Jeddah,” says Nomi Ahmad, Regional Director, Middle East, Wärtsilä Power Plants.

The rapid growth of construction projects in Saudi Arabia, together with the country’s infrastructure development, has created a huge demand for cement. RCC was one of the first companies serving that market, with the capacity to produce 5000 tons per day.

Wärtsilä has been powering industry in Saudi Arabia for 35 years with more than 1200 MW of power plants installed, under construction or on order. Close to 400 MW is utilized or earmarked for the expanding cement industry in the country.

For further information, please contact:

Khalid Abuzahra
General Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä in Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 2 651 19001 ext. 113
Fax: +966 2 650 3882
e-mail: khalid.abuzahra@wartsila.com

Tuula Franck
Press Manager
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 400267555
Email: tuula.franck@wartsila.com

Maria Nystrand
Public Relations Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1456
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: maria.nystrand@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 17,000 professionals manning 160 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.

www.wartsila.com