Project Feasibility Modeling (Power Generation & Desalinated Water Company)

About the client
Our client is a leading developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants in the Middle East region. With 54 assets in operation, construction, or advanced development across 11 countries they employ over 3,500 people with ~60% local employment.

ACWA Power’s portfolio, with an investment value in excess of USD 45 billion, can generate 30+ GW of power and produce over 5.3 million m3 /day of desalinated water.

What business challenge were they facing?
The client’s main dealings are with projects around renewable energy. As a result of the complex technology and heavyweight financial resources which is consumed to execute these projects, senior engineers are expected to collaborate with project finance teams to manage them successfully.

Although these senior engineers were best in their field of expertise, they did not understand the financial implications of the expensive solar technology they recommended for this venture. On the other hand, the finance team could not approve the investment as it resulted in a financially unviable project. As a result of this knowledge gap and conflict in understanding, the project was facing delays.

The client wanted a learning solution that would:
Ensure the team of engineers has the skills and tools they need to understand the implications of their technology recommendations on the project cost and financial feasibility
Help in aligning engineering and finance teams towards the same project goals/outcomes
Help inculcate the collaborative mindset between two functionally diverse teams in order to attain maximum profitability from the projects

What solution did Kaplan professional ME provide?
A collaboratively customized Project Finance Feasibility Modelling Programme.

How did Kaplan genesis work with the client to develop the solution?
To develop the learning solution, Kaplan used the ‘collaborative customization’ approach
The course outline, the content, and the learning outcomes were developed by conducting multiple rounds of consultative interviews with key stakeholders of the organization and teams
It resulted in the creation of a highly bespoke program content which consisted of a hypothetical green field project around solar power (Project Heliac), for which the participants had to analyze a project’s financial feasibility using financial modeling

How was the training delivered?
The training was delivered face-to-face (F2F) over two days
It was interactive and included working on a hypothetical green field solar power project based in Dubai as a business scenario
The trainer facilitated and guided the senior engineers in creating a ‘Project Feasibility Model’ from scratch

What aspects were highly appreciated by the client?
Collaborative customization of program and content through a consultative approach
Industry experienced trainer, ex-investment banker conducting the interactive delivery
Comprehensive material for effective embedding
Seamless project management geared towards a well-executed programme