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Generator Sizing Guide

Professional kVA calculations and load requirements for UAE construction, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Calculate exact generator requirements with motor starting considerations, diversity factors, and UAE climate derating for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and across the Emirates.

15%
UAE Climate Factor
🌡️
50°C+
Peak Temperature
🔧
3-4x
Motor Starting
📈
0.8
Power Factor

UAE Generator Sizing Calculator

Get instant kVA recommendations for your UAE construction project. Our calculator accounts for motor starting currents, diversity factors, and high ambient temperature conditions.

UAE-Optimized Sizing

Professional generator sizing with intelligent calculations for UAE climate conditions, motor starting currents, and construction site requirements across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and UAE.

15%
UAE Climate Factor
50°C+
Summer Peak Temp
20%
Safety Margin
0.8
Typical Power Factor

Calculate Your Generator Size

UAE Construction Site Sizing Guide

Quick reference for typical generator requirements by construction project type in UAE climate conditions

🏠
Residential Construction
75 - 150 kVA
  • • Villa/apartment construction
  • • 20-50 workers typically
  • • Basic tools & lighting
  • • Small concrete mixers
  • • Site office facilities
🏢
Commercial Buildings
200 - 500 kVA
  • • Office towers, retail centers
  • • Concrete pumps & hoists
  • • Multiple floors, elevators
  • • HVAC systems during fit-out
  • • Enhanced safety systems
🏭
Industrial Projects
500 - 1500 kVA
  • • Factories, warehouses
  • • Heavy machinery installation
  • • Large motor starting currents
  • • Continuous operation requirements
  • • Specialized HVAC systems
🏗️
Infrastructure & Mega Projects
750+ kVA
  • • Bridges, highways, utilities
  • • Multiple tower cranes
  • • Parallel operation required
  • • 24/7 construction activities
  • • Redundancy requirements
🎪
Events & Temporary
50 - 300 kVA
  • • Exhibitions, conferences
  • • Silent operation required
  • • HVAC for large spaces
  • • Audio/visual systems
  • • Food service equipment
🛢️
Oil & Gas Facilities
300 - 2000+ kVA
  • • Refineries, petrochemical
  • • Hazardous area requirements
  • • Critical process continuity
  • • Explosion-proof equipment
  • • Redundant power systems

Construction Equipment Power Requirements

Typical power consumption for common construction equipment used in UAE projects

🏗️ Tower Crane
Typical Size 6-12 ton
Power (kW) 45-85
Starting kVA 200-400
UAE Notes High starting current, frequent starts
🚛 Concrete Pump
Typical Size 60-80 m³/hr
Power (kW) 75-120
Starting kVA 150-250
UAE Notes Variable load, pump priming
🏢 Construction Hoist
Typical Size 1-2 ton capacity
Power (kW) 15-30
Starting kVA 75-150
UAE Notes Frequent start/stop cycles
🥄 Concrete Mixer
Typical Size 0.5-1.5 m³
Power (kW) 7-15
Starting kVA 25-45
UAE Notes Intermittent operation
🔨 Compactor
Typical Size Hand-held
Power (kW) 2-4
Starting kVA 8-15
UAE Notes Multiple units typically
⚡ Welding Machine
Typical Size 300-400A
Power (kW) 15-25
Starting kVA 15-25
UAE Notes Resistive load, power factor 1.0
❄️ Site Office HVAC
Typical Size 100 m² office
Power (kW) 15-25
Starting kVA 45-75
UAE Notes Essential in UAE climate
💡 General Lighting
Typical Size Per 100 m²
Power (kW) 3-5
Starting kVA 3-5
UAE Notes LED recommended for efficiency
🔧 Power Tools
Typical Size Various
Power (kW) 1-3 each
Starting kVA 1-3 each
UAE Notes Diversity factor applies
🚰 Water Pump
Typical Size Dewatering
Power (kW) 5-15
Starting kVA 15-45
UAE Notes May run continuously
Equipment Type Typical Size Power (kW) Starting kVA Notes for UAE
Tower Crane 6-12 ton 45-85 200-400 High starting current, frequent starts
Concrete Pump 60-80 m³/hr 75-120 150-250 Variable load, pump priming
Construction Hoist 1-2 ton capacity 15-30 75-150 Frequent start/stop cycles
Concrete Mixer 0.5-1.5 m³ 7-15 25-45 Intermittent operation
Compactor Hand-held 2-4 8-15 Multiple units typically
Welding Machine 300-400A 15-25 15-25 Resistive load, power factor 1.0
Site Office HVAC 100 m² office 15-25 45-75 Essential in UAE climate
General Lighting Per 100 m² 3-5 3-5 LED recommended for efficiency
Power Tools Various 1-3 each 1-3 each Diversity factor applies
Water Pump Dewatering 5-15 15-45 May run continuously

Step-by-Step Load Calculation Process

Professional methodology for accurate generator sizing in UAE conditions

1
List All Connected Loads
Identify every electrical device, motor, lighting circuit, and equipment that will operate simultaneously
2
Calculate Motor Starting Requirements
DOL starting: 3-4x motor rating | Star-Delta: 1.5-2x | VSD: 1.1-1.3x motor rating
3
Apply Diversity Factor
Not all equipment runs simultaneously. Apply 0.7-0.8 diversity factor for typical construction sites
4
UAE Climate Derating
Add 10-15% capacity for high ambient temperatures (up to 50°C+ in summer)
5
Add Safety Margin
Include 20% safety margin for future loads, voltage regulation, and unexpected requirements
6
Select Standard Generator Size
Choose next available standard generator size that meets or exceeds calculated requirements. Modern load management systems with preventive maintenance help optimize generator performance and extend equipment life.
🌡️
UAE Climate Considerations

UAE's extreme summer temperatures (45-50°C) significantly impact generator performance. Generators must be derated by 10-15% above 40°C ambient temperature. Our sizing calculations automatically include this derating factor to ensure reliable operation year-round. Operating at optimal load maximizes fuel efficiency, reducing operational costs by 15-20%.

Motor Starting Methods for UAE Conditions

Choose the right starting method to minimize generator capacity requirements and improve reliability

⚡ Direct On Line (DOL)
Starting Current 5-7x rated
Generator kVA Required 3-4x motor kW
Voltage Dip 15-25%
Best Applications Small motors (<15kW), simple applications
⭐ Star-Delta Starting
Starting Current 1.7-2.3x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.5-2x motor kW
Voltage Dip 8-12%
Best Applications Medium motors (15-75kW), pumps, fans
🔄 Soft Starter
Starting Current 2-4x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.3-1.8x motor kW
Voltage Dip 5-10%
Best Applications Sensitive applications, frequent starts
📊 Variable Speed Drive (VSD)
Starting Current 1.5x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.1-1.3x motor kW
Voltage Dip 2-5%
Best Applications Variable loads, energy efficiency required
Starting Method Starting Current Generator kVA Required Voltage Dip Best Applications
Direct On Line (DOL) 5-7x rated 3-4x motor kW 15-25% Small motors (<15kW), simple applications
Star-Delta Starting 1.7-2.3x rated 1.5-2x motor kW 8-12% Medium motors (15-75kW), pumps, fans
Soft Starter 2-4x rated 1.3-1.8x motor kW 5-10% Sensitive applications, frequent starts
Variable Speed Drive (VSD) 1.5x rated 1.1-1.3x motor kW 2-5% Variable loads, energy efficiency required
Need Expert Motor Starting Analysis?

Our engineers provide free load calculations and motor starting recommendations for UAE projects

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When to Use Multiple Generators in Parallel

Parallel operation provides redundancy, load sharing, and staged capacity for large UAE projects

⚖️
Load Sharing
2-6 Units

Distribute load across multiple generators for better fuel efficiency and reduced wear on individual units

🔄
Redundancy
N+1 Config

Critical applications where power outage is not acceptable. One generator serves as backup for others, requiring 24/7 maintenance support

📈
Staged Capacity
Modular

Start with smaller capacity and add generators as project load requirements grow over time

🚚
Transport Limitations
>750 kVA

Large single generators may have transport restrictions. Multiple smaller units easier to mobilize

UAE Regional Sizing Considerations

Generator sizing requirements vary significantly across the UAE based on regional industry demands, building regulations, and application types

High-Rise Construction Requirements

Dubai
For high-rise projects in Dubai, generator sizing must account for vertical pumping loads, multiple tower crane operations, and staged construction phases. Most Dubai Marina and Downtown developments require 500-1500 kVA units with parallel configurations for redundancy. The vertical load distribution adds 15-25% to base power calculations compared to low-rise projects.

Oil & Gas Facility Calculations

Abu Dhabi
Industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi require precise sizing for critical oil and gas operations. Offshore platforms, processing plants, and pipeline stations demand N+1 redundancy configurations. Typical installations range from 750 kVA to 2000 kVA with multiple units running in synchronization. Inrush currents from large motors and compressors require generators sized at 30-40% above continuous load ratings.

Manufacturing Load Profiles

Sharjah
Sizing generators for Sharjah's manufacturing zones involves analyzing complex load profiles with significant motor starting demands. Industrial estates in Al Sajaa and Hamriyah Free Zone require 400-1000 kVA units capable of handling 3-phase welding equipment, CNC machines, and HVAC systems simultaneously. Power factor correction equipment integration is crucial for optimal sizing efficiency.

SME and Commercial Sizing

Ajman
Small to medium enterprises across Ajman's commercial facilities benefit from right-sized generators between 30-250 kVA that avoid over-capacity costs. Warehouses, light manufacturing, and retail operations can optimize costs by sizing generators to actual load requirements rather than peak theoretical demand. Modern load management systems allow 80-85% loading, maximizing fuel efficiency while maintaining reliability.

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