Many oil & gas and mining work sites conduct operations in forbidding territories, such as uneven, rocky terrains or mountain regions. That said, such sites still need portable power generation to start or continue production. For these reasons, lease agreements for portable power generator installations get drawn up all the time between vendors and site managers.
All sorts of Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) providers can install generators on-site in challenging locations. While these providers’ competencies may seem similar, their levels of expertise can vary and make a direct impact on your success. As a manager, you’re tasked with choosing the best option available, with no margin for error.
It’s for these reasons that you should understand the PaaS industry and what areas to explore with providers. To assist you in making the right decision, consider these five factors when choosing a PaaS partner.
1. Power Rental Solutions with Minimal CapEx
The less you have to spend on energy, the more capital you can direct into operations and production. Ask PaaS providers about financing options, in particular those that do not mandate CapEx from your organization upfront.
You can negotiate every element of your agreement, including cost. If a candidate quotes a non-negotiable price, keep talking to other vendors.
2. Turnkey Temporary Power Services
To save yourself time and effort hiring different contractors to survey your site, then haul and install equipment, find a vendor that can do it all. Many reliable PaaS providers can handle every aspect of portable power generator leasing, including:
Engineering
Transportation
Installation
Maintenance
Qualified vendors can supply case studies of successful projects in your vertical. Ask to see them, or visit the company’s website for more information.
3. Customized Portable Power Generator Solutions
Every work site has different challenges, so a provider shouldn’t just email you a prefabricated power generation solution. A vendor skilled in customer care should go to your site, consult with your team, and then create a unique proposal that reflects your budget, location and goals. If the provider has transparent communications and reviews their plan with you in detail, that’s an important sign of their interest in your business.
4. Flexibility in Temporary Power
An experienced provider won’t push for one fuel or technology in their presentation. It’s not so much how the provider supplies the power rental solutions as whether the technology fits your needs. It’s important to discuss your options with the provider in the planning stages. Talk about seasonal conditions at your site, especially weather, and mention if any cultural or natural events could impact your operations.
5. Simplicity in Power Rental Solutions
Every successful consultant makes a manager’s job easier. When you meet a PaaS provider, ask them to explain how their solution will streamline your power supply. How will it provide you with more time to manage your site? Will you have to make constant decisions while the generators operate, or can you trust the provider to self-manage?
If a candidate’s presentation feels complicated, ask if they can simplify it and cut anything you think unnecessary. If they propose many stages and a high ratio of on-site equipment to site architecture, you may well pay for more power than you need. Feel free to question every part of a vendor’s plan; it should show respect for your time and budget.