CONSTRUCTION APRIL 2017
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& CIVIL ENGINEERING The Journal for Construction Industry Leaders
Zenith Steel Fabricators
UNVEILING state of the art plant in Africa
Lamu port project construction
Acacia mining strikes gold in Kenya
How Morocco tapped into Africa’s renewable energy potential
EDITOR’S NOTE
Africa’s renewable energy potential
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frica’s vast potential for renewable energy could outstrip the continent’s projected electricity demand in 2030, according to new research. The paper, “Strategic siting and regional grid interconnections key to low-carbon futures in African countries” maps the potential for new wind and solar farms in 21 African countries. At present, Africa has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world. A report from the World Bank Group and the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that the speed of electrification in Africa is failing to keep pace with a rapidly rising population. The report details that of the 1.06 billion people across the world who still lack access to electricity, 45 per cent reside in Rural Africa – with a further 10 per cent spread across African cities. According to the Sustainable Energy For All Forum, just 37 per cent of Africa’s population had access to electricity in 2014. Africa has huge untapped resources for renewable energy – namely wind and solar power. Well-chosen sites coupled with interconnectors that allow resources to be shared within and between countries could enable Africa’s rapidly growing electricity demand to be met with renewables at a similar cost to conventional fossil fuel generation, according to the authors of the paper. Energy demand in Africa is expected to grow exponentially; the study forecasts that for an area encompassing 50 per cent of Africa’s population, the collective demand will exceed 1,000 terawatthours (TWh) by 2030 – almost triple the figure for 2010. The declining costs of wind and solar has already fuelled growth in renewable energy generation in a number of African countries. In Kenya and Ghana, the levelised cost of wind power is already roughly equal to hydropower. To expand the adoption of renewable energy throughout the continent, the paper’s authors developed a tool to map the best available new sites
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Managing Editor Richard Mukoma Editorial consultant Mike Long
Writers Ken Olunga VeronicahMuthoni Sandra Dinga Graphic Design Felix Rurigi Nick Amanya
for solar and wind power in 21 different countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. According to the analysis, the maximum potential for wind and solar power across all 21 nations surpasses the estimated electricity demand in 2030 by at least a factor of two. The results indicate that Djibouti, Libya, Swaziland and Tanzania will be able to meet 30 per cent of their demand with accessible, low-impact, and cost-effective wind sites. Similarly, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe could meet 30 per cent of their projected 2030 demand with domestically-produced solar photovoltaic (PV). However, for Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, South Africa and Zambia meeting 2030 targets will “require investing in transmission extensions to access lower-cost PV resources or importing from neighbours”. The news follows the announcement of Facebook and Microsoft’s collaboration with investment firm Allotrope Partners and more than a dozen implementing partners and observers to develop an innovative facility to finance energy access projects in India, Indonesia and East Africa. The new Microgrid Investment Accelerator (MIA) seeks to mobilise around $50 million from 2018 to 2020 in order to reach those communities across the globe living without access to electricity. In North Africa, the Tunisian government has announced it plans to invest $1 billion towards the installation of 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in 2017 – while in Algeria the government is set to launch a tender for the construction of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totalling 4 gigawatts (GW). In this issue we look at how various countries in Africa are leading in this front. Welcome! Editor
DISCLAIMER: The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in the journal. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Circulation Ken Kilozo Robert Kimani Marketing Executives George Otieno Liz Kyalo
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BRIEFS
Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited UNVEILING state of the art plant in Africa
As it celebrates its 40th anniversary Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited is leading the way towards a new future defined by safe and efficient practice in the steel fabrication industry.
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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / April 2017 Issue
COVERBRIEFS STORY
Established in 1977, leading steel fabrication firm Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited has grown to become the biggest specialist in multi-storey building in Africa.
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n ISO 9001:2008 certified company, Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited specialises in the design, fabrication and assembly of all types of structural steelwork. The firm has especially distinguished itself from the crowd by full service from start to finish. It is the cohesion of service throughout that the Company continues to provide which has made it thrive in this ever-evolving market. Raheem Biviji the managing director of Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited best understands the history of the company. “The company was started by Abbas T Biviji and Jayantilal Gohil as a small fabrication workshop in Kenya to serve the then nascent construction industry,” he says. “Over the last forty years, the company has grown in leaps and bounds undertaking mega projects that we have been able to complete successfully,” he adds.
Growing portfolio
Among its growing portfolio is a multi-storey steel commercial building in Nairobi dubbed Sifa towers. As Managing director Raheem Biviji explains, the firm was the first to introduce multi-storey steel building in East Africa. “We wanted to bring something new into the market. We identified the need to complete projects in a timely manner with minimum wastage and steel building has proved worth it,” shares Biviji.
The Architectural wonder of Sifa towers is based on the shape of Hyperbolic Parabolic Curve. The building appears shaped despite the use of multi-storey steel system in its construction. The iconic structure is an ultra-modern commercial complex with 11 floors. Another project that Zenith Steel has been able to deliver successfully is Kithiki towers in Mombasa. The project is one of the sturdiest buildings in Kenya today. The Quality Centre in Tanzania was also Zenith Steel’s project.
Competitive edge
Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited understands that to continue being ahead in the market,production is a major factor. The company recently launched a brand new fully-integrated steel fabrication plant allowing it to boost its output from 50,000 tonnes to 75,000; making it one of the largest of its kind in Africa. But it is not just the volume of successful contracts that makes it stand out. “ I think it comes down to three things, first is our ability to stay true to our core business and constantly learning new global trends. The trends in the market
“ I think it comes down to three things, first is our ability to stay true to our core business and constantly learning new global trends. The trends in the market are constantly changing as such innovation is a major factor to us. This has helped us remain ahead in the curve and satisfy our clients,”
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COVER STORY
are constantly changing as such innovation is a major factor to us. This has helped us remain ahead in the curve and satisfy our clients,” explains Biviji. “Secondly we offer a broad and innovative service. We have an absolutely unique set of design and project delivery skills. “We are experts in steel work including a full knowledge of compliance with all steel building regulations and guidelines. On top of this we bring a complete and leading understanding of the structural design and world class skills in construction of a wide array of construction projects, which allows us to deliver top notch projects.” “The final facet giving us a competitive edge is our in-house staff. We have invested considerable amount of resources training our staff on emerging steel technology so that we continue evolving as the market demands.” Says Biviji adding that steel construction is quickly gaining traction in Africa.
Emerging trends
As the only Company in Kenya which designs, fabricates and erects multi-storey buildings, its all encompassing approach to the market is making Zenith Steel quite the innovator in its field. Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited is seeing great levels of success in the sector, tapping into the trend that is fast breaking the dominance of conventional brick and mortar buildings that have dominated some of the world’s structures for decades. Biviji shares; “While it is a recent adoption in Africa, the buildings have been used extensively in developed countries since the 1940s. With today’s advanced technology and innovations, the use of structural steel and concrete composite design is being applied in the construction of multi-storey buildings. “Contrary to using reinforced cement concrete, in multi-storey steel buildings the structure is designed and assembled in the workshop. Later on, while on site, the steel is fixed to produce the desired building.” The good thing about offsite construction brings huge advantages over traditional forms of construction. It is of a higher quality, cheaper, quicker to build on site, less weather dependent and requires fewer systems on site making it inherently safer. This in-house, offsite construction competence at Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited means that the company is not only a leader in terms of quality and range of offerings, but is also one of the fastest constructors available in Kenya and Africa at large. Health and safety is a critical part of Zenith Steel
“Contrary to using reinforced cement concrete, in multi-storey steel buildings the structure is designed and assembled in the workshop. Later on, while on site, the steel is fixed to produce the desired building.” 24
Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / April 2017 Issue
The Elegance
We congratulate Zenith Steel Fabricators on their 40th Anniversary
COVER STORY
Fabricators Limited continued success in the market and its focus on both its employees and the public is exemplary. This starts at the very beginning, when the design is integrated with safe methods and sequencing of construction. As Raheem points out; “When you are constantly constructing the same type of building you get pretty good at it, yet we understand how important it is not to become complacent so we approach each project individually.� The company has also built up strong subcontractor relationships, bringing together a family of trusted and expert teams that have been absorbed into its own safety culture. This is supported by the encouragement of safety reporting and regular onsite briefings Sifa Towers
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We congratulate
Zenith Steel Fabricators
on their 40th Anniversary P.O Box 30452-00100 GPO Nairobi, Kitui Road, Industrial Area Phone Main: Tel: +254 (020) 531269/70/71 Wireless: +254 077 2899403 Phone Mobile: Cell: +254 (726) 958595/736222236 Fax: +254 (020) 651948, 652165 Email: galaxy@galaxypaints.co.ke
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COVER STORY
Bagamoyo
Kithiki Towers
Innovation
Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited is always seeking to be innovative and at the cutting edge of construction, always developing new products and practices,” he continues, and the future of the company is very much brought into focus by this
attitude to lead the industry towards becoming safer and more productive. Now using Building Information Modelling (BIM) software such as TEKLA and Steel Projects, Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited is able to deliver excellent work thereby winning the confidence of its customers. With so much development based around its technology, the Company recognises the importance of making significant capital investments in state-of-theart equipment. Biviji explains; “Installation of modern machinery is essential for efficient and effective work such as CNC Machinery, saw, drill, shot blasters and plant processing.” Looking into the future, technology will continue to play a major role for Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited. Biviji explains that as a company they will constantly
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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / April 2017 Issue
COVER STORY
be changing as times demand. Key to their success will also depend on their in-house staff capability he notes. “We pride ourselves in the fact that 90 percent of Zenith Steel Fabricators Limited’s staff are local. Well trained staff with hands on experience in the field is the key to a successful company. Training for our existing staff enables us to expand their roles and duties within the Company, enabling growth on all steps of the ladder,” adds Biviji. “We know what we are good at. We know we are leaders in our field but we also understand that maintaining that position is a new ball game all together. We will be banking on our experienced staff and the element of customer satisfaction to thrive going forward,” ends Biviji.
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