ABB briefs DEWA on progress in 400 kV substation at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received a delegation from Swiss company ABB at his office. ABB is the main contractor on a 400 kV facility at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park.

The delegation included Robert Echner, Manager of Power Systems in Europe, Novak Stevanovic, Manager of Power Systems in ME, and Thomas Rechsteiner, Project Manager.

Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President of Transmission Power at DEWA and Saeed Al Jallaf, VP of Transmission Projects and Permits at DEWA also attended the meeting.

Al Tayer began the meeting by welcoming the delegation and affirming the importance of cooperation with ABB, which is a leading international power and automation technology group. The meeting enhanced cooperation between both parties, especially on power transformation projects and related energy solutions and technologies.

The delegation explained to Al Tayer in detail about the latest developments on the main Dh 275 million 132/400 kV substation at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, which has a conversion capacity of 1515 megavolt amperes (MVA).

Work is progressing according to schedule and 50% of the construction has been completed. The station is expected to open during Q4 of 2016. Al Tayer directed ABB to adhere to the highest levels of health and safety measures to finish the project on time according to the highest quality standards.

The delegation also showcased on-site construction works at the substation, which is divided into four sections. The first includes a 400kV substation and has 11 gas-insulated switchgears (GIS). The second section converts from 400 kV to 132kV with a conversion capacity of 1,515 MVA. It includes three 400/132 kV interconnecting transformers. The third section has a 21 GIS and the fourth section houses the control and safety facilities.

DEWA is working to prepare special infrastructure for the project, to meet Dubai's development requirements. The establishment of the main 132/400 kV power transformer forms part of these efforts, and is indicative of the ambitious strategy and plans, in line with the highest standards of productivity, reliability and efficiency. The project includes importing, installing, testing and launching of the main 132/400 kV facility with 4 400 kV cabling.

ABB is cooperating with a number of companies, including Energo and Comodor, to finish the project on time.