Running a manufacturing plant is complex, as you need quality parts and equipment to comprise the production line and ensure that operations remain continuous. One element that is as crucial in factory operations is a stable and reliable power source, especially if your factory handles a massive production capacity.
Maintaining one means reaching out to a power generation company that caters to your specific needs. It’s a large sector, but it’s better to refine your search instead of settling for what’s good enough. Here’s a quick guide to help you find a power generation contractor who can make the most of your factory’s production potential:
1. Assess Your Plant’s Power Needs
Before anything else down the line, it pays to gauge your factory’s overall power demand and take other factors into account that may influence the size, placement, and cost of the power source to be built. Equally important is to ensure that the power plant is scalable, so consider your company’s potential for possible expansion, which would require a larger amount of electricity to run your factory.
Start an inventory of all heavy equipment as well as office fixtures. You might also want to come up with a clear estimate of how much power is used, especially during peak hours and peak seasons when production ramps up. Taking these into account will help you determine which power company fits the size and scope required for the project.
2. Send Out a Bid Invitation
Now that you have a clear idea of your factory’s power needs, you should start compiling a shortlist of potential contractors to invite for the bidding process. Crucial here is the inclusion of a complete set of specifications, including your factory’s total power usage and even your brand preferences for parts like cables.
You should also include the type of fuel, especially if you prefer to use biomass to reduce your plant’s carbon footprint. Be straightforward if you require long-term maintenance in addition to construction or installation work. Some contractors offer a design-build setup, which might also include ongoing equipment management and troubleshooting.
3. Check Their Portfolio of Works Thoroughly
Any power generation contractor can claim that they are competent, but you shouldn’t take their work at face value. You need to take a more in-depth look at their actual capabilities. Your best starting point is their list of previous projects.
When reviewing past power systems projects, you might want to check if these consist of substations for production plants as well as hybrid power setups across different parts of the globe. It would also help if you could request case studies. Use these as references when you compare bid proposals and evaluate which ones are the best fit for your project.
4. Be Sure to Check Their Reputation
Competence and experience aren’t the end-all and be-all of choosing a power generation contractor. If you overlook their reputation, you could be at risk of onboarding a power company that has involvement in backdoor dealings and corruption-tainted government transactions.
Do not focus on technical capacity alone. Take the time to check the company’s reputation online and consider major red flags, which may include being mentioned in investigations and getting sanctioned for unfair business practices.
Endnote
Electricity is crucial to the expansion and efficiency of your manufacturing plant. Getting the right company involved makes a big difference if expanding your operations is part of your priority.