Volvo Penta, Middle East and electricity

Volvo Penta developed a new rating for the top of power generation range, the TWD1645GE. With their long-term business partner, Khonaysser Motors, they managed to install the engine in a prototype genset. Frequently Lebanon has to face to power cuts. In general, all the Middle East area suffers from the same problem. So, to help to fix it, Lebanese electricity supply company Ishtirak El Hassan uses gensets to produce electricity. Small applications such as Shops, offices and homes benefit from this service. Ishtirak El Hassan referred to Khonaysser Motors to field-test their latest genset.

«We have been really satisfied with this genset», says Ali Soufan, owner of Ishtirak El Hassan. «The Volvo Penta engine in Khonaysser Motors’ genset performed very well. We even wanted to delay the end of field-testing as we didn’t want to return it!».

Volvo Penta TWD1645GE, best in class

Among the requirement that the gensets have to ensure, one is the capability to operate for up to 24 hours continuously. Over a year, it must be able to work for more than 6,500 hours. Ishtirak El Hassan needed a genset with a high-performance engine. Therefore, the company relied on the 16-liter TWD1645GE for it has the highest power density in its class.

«Over the past year we have extensively used this new genset» says Soufan. «Because it has functioned very well and suited our needs, we have actually bought one of the engines at the end of field-testing».

«This engine has been a remarkably good performer», says Ronald Youakimian, technical consultant at Beirut-based Khonaysser Motors. «It has been running trouble-free over the past year with only minimal intervention from our staff to cover routine maintenance. The dual-circuit cooling system is perfectly adequate for our climatic conditions. Technically supporting this product has been an easy job».

A reliable and proven engine family

Volvo Penta’s TWD1645GE provides up to 770 kVA for standby power at 1500 rpm (50 Hz). It shares the same engine base with previous models, but power leverage has been improved. Moreover, the design fits for harsh environments and guarantees compactness and ease of installation. Besides, the total cost of ownership benefits from the reduced fuel consumption. «It is based on a well-known reliable engine family, and all modifications have made a solid grounding for the TWD1645GE. Since field-testing, we have successfully sold many of the gensets with this engine to other customers», says Youakimian.

Fredrik Rönnquist, business development manager for industrial engines at Volvo Penta, reported the positive feedback. «We’re happy that Khonaysser Motors have confirmed that the engine has been running flawlessly with only regular maintenance and replacements required of scheduled consumables».

«We have celebrated the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Khonaysser Motors. We’re happy they’re satisfied with our engines and our aftermarket service», says Hans Andersson, Volvo Penta’s area manager for the Middle East.

NEW NORTH AMERICAN ASSEMBLY LINE

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