Cellular operators in the Arab World are projected to invest US$ 251.5 million in power generation systems from 2012 – 2015

A new Arab Advisors Group survey of one quarter of cellular operators in the Arab World reveals that the surveyed operators, alone, will deploy 590 hybrid power and renewable energy systems to power network infrastructure in 2012 and 2013.
In a ground breaking report addressing the telecom power sector, the Arab Advisors Group estimates the total value of the generator set market for regional cellular operators at US$ 107.6 million from 2012 through 2015. During the same period, Arab Advisors values the total size of the market for PV systems at US$ 143.9 million. Together, this constitutes projected market investment of more than US$ 251 million in power generation systems by the region’s cellular operators.
With cellular population coverage in the Arab World well over 90{e1f18614b95d3cd6e4b3128e1cd15d99b042a60a5a19c19b7a8e07e7495efa10} of population throughout the region, operators are filling in coverage of remote areas and isolated communities, resulting in the need for on-site power generation systems to power base stations in off-grid areas.
Arab Advisors Group conducted a survey of regional cellular operators about their power generation systems between July and November 2011. Responses were received from operators representing networks in the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. Survey respondents represent 13 of 52 regional operators (25{e1f18614b95d3cd6e4b3128e1cd15d99b042a60a5a19c19b7a8e07e7495efa10}) and 87 million cellular subscribers, or about 28{e1f18614b95d3cd6e4b3128e1cd15d99b042a60a5a19c19b7a8e07e7495efa10} of subscribers in the Arab World in 2010.
Arab cellular operators are devoting increasing attention to the social and environmental sustainability of their network operations, although financial considerations still dominate decision-making. The use of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at off-grid sites is growing rapidly. The thirteen operators participating in the survey reported a total of 378 hybrid and green power systems installed as of June 30, 2011. Nearly three quarters of the systems incorporated solar (PV) power.
A new report, “Power Generation Systems for Cellular Operators in the Arab World: Survey Results and Market Projections to 2015” was released on February 7, 2012. This report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 3,000. The 47-page report, which has 28 detailed exhibits, provides a comprehensive overview of the telecom power sector in the Arab World. Please contact Arab Advisors Group to get a copy of the report’s Table of Contents.
“The Middle East is best known for its oil, but the region has a tremendous natural resource in the form of solar energy. Cellular operators in the region are waking up to this potential and are in the midst of a large scale-up of photovoltaic system deployments.” Ms. Rebecca Mayer, Senior Consultant at Arab Advisors Group commented.
“Photovoltaic systems are, by far, the most widely accepted renewable energy technology by Arab cellular operators,” Ms. Mayer added, “compared to small wind turbines, fuel cells, or alternative fuels.”