Hitachi Zosen to offer CSP in Middle East, N Africa - report

Jun 17, 2013 - Japanese engineering firm Hitachi Zosen Corp (TYO:7004) plans to start selling concentrated solar power (CSP) systems in the Middle East and North Africa this autumn, daily Nikkei said on Saturday.

At present, Hitachi Zosen operates a pilot solar thermal power system in Saudi Arabia in partnership with local desalinated water producer Saline Water Conversion Corp (SWCC). The data received from the demo unit will be used for discussions with potential customers in the the Middle East and North African markets with the aim to establish a business fetching JPY 7.5 billion (USD 79m/EUR 59m) after three years, according to Nikkei.

The Japanese firm uses low-profile Fresnel reflectors in its CSP stations and mounts them 1.2 metres (4 ft) above the ground, which ensures easier maintenance as compared to parabolic troughs. Hitachi Zosen's facilities work with control devices that adjust the reflectors to track the location of the sun, thus increasing the efficiency of the systems.

Hitachi Zosen, which also builds desalination plants, plans to offer its CSP systems in hybrid desalination facilities which generate electricity and produce water.

(JPY 100 = USD 1.055/EUR 0.792)

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