Rising to the challenge

When Volvo Penta produced a new power generation engine, it turned to long-term business partner, Khonaysser Motors, to install the TWD1645GE in a prototype genset. The Lebanese genset manufacturer tasked two of its customers with field-testing the unit, and one year later, the product has proven to be a success.

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When Lebanese electricity supply company Ishtirak El Hassan needed additional power sources to keep up with demand, it was eager to field-test the new genset from Khonaysser Motors. With an unstable mains electricity supply, Lebanon is frequently subjected to power cuts. To ease the burden, Ishtirak El Hassan uses gensets to produce electricity for small companies, shops, offices and homes.

The company began field-testing a new genset equipped with Volvo Penta’s latest power generation diesel engine, the TWD1645GE, in 2017.

“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!”

Increasing demand for power

The gensets need to be able to operate for up to 24 hours continuously, and more than 6,500 hours per year. Ishtirak El Hassan wanted a genset with a high-performance engine, and the 16-liter TWD1645GE 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 Volvo Penta engines at the end of field-testing.”

Successful uptake of the latest model

The Middle East is a big market for gensets due to difficulties in the supply of mains electricity.

“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.”

“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.”

Volvo Penta’s TWD1645GE has the same engine base as previous models but with more power leveraged. It is designed to perform in harsh environments, is compact and easy to install. Its reduced fuel consumption provides low total cost of ownership.

“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,” says Fredrik Rönnquist, business development manager for industrial engines at Volvo Penta.

Making a good impression

Printing company, 53dots, is another of Khonaysser Motors’ customers. The company produces a range of printed materials for commercial purposes. It is in operation for more than 3,000 working hours a year, and relies solely on gensets to power its machinery.

“We rely on high quality gensets all the time and we have been pleased with how this has operated,” says Wael Jamaleddine, owner of 53dots. “The Volvo Penta engine in this genset has helped keep our business running smoothly.”

The TWD1645GE produces up to 770 kVA for standby power at 1500 rpm (50 Hz.).

“We have celebrated the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Khonaysser Motors, so 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.

Volvo Penta will be at stand S2.F39 at the Middle East Electricity show in Dubai,from March 6-8.