KHL Group - International Rental News

Caterpillar signs power project agreement with Energy International

Written by Murray Pollok - 18 Jan 2012

CAT

Caterpillar has signed an agreement with Miami-based Energy International Inc (EI) making it Cat's global partner for international temporary power projects.

Caterpillar said the agreement would allow EI to respond to power plant projects more efficiently through a "deeper relationship with Caterpillar that will deliver focused expertise, increased efficiency, competitive pricing and improved customer service."

The EI deal follows Caterpillar's global agreement last year with power rental company APR Energy under which Cat dealer Ring Power will supply engines to APR at preferential pricing and availability. That deal also included provision for Cat dealers worldwide to share market intelligence on international power projects.

A spokesman for APR Energy told IRN that Cat's new deal with EI did not impact on its separate agreement and that the relationship with Cat and Ring Power was functioning and proving beneficial.

Rick Rathe, global manager for Cat Rental Power, told IRN that the international power projects (IPP) market was very large and growing quickly; "The IPP providers we have selected offer unique capabilities, different business models, and regional expertise that can help us leverage Caterpillar's [products and dealer network]".

EI's rental fleet includes Cat power modules and mobile Solar dual-fuel turbines, which currently provide almost 600 MW of temporary power for 14 client sites around the world.

Andres Molano, rental division director for EI, said Cat power units had been the driving force behind its temporary power service since the start of the company; "This agreement will permit EI to forge closer ties with Caterpillar that will help us better serve our clients' temporary power needs worldwide."

Bill Rohner, vice president of Caterpillar's Electric Power Division, said; "The global demand for international power projects has grown dramatically over the past five years, and we are excited about future growth opportunities.

"This cooperation will provide our customers with reliable power solutions from Caterpillar combined with EI's considerable technical expertise and expanding global footprint."

EI has been providing temporary power in Latin America since 1998, but over the past year it has expanded its operations to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and today employs more than 1100 staff in 11 countries.