US$30m substation order for ABB

ABB to build underground substations in Qatar.

Power and automation technology group ABB has won a US$30 million order from the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) to build two underground substations.

Designed to meet increasing residential and commercial demand for power in the capital Doha, the substations will be almost invisible to the public and form the inaugural phase of Musheireb, Dohaland’s key project.

ABB is to design, supply, install and commission two 66kvv gas-insulated switchgear substations, as well as transformers, 11kv metal-clad air-insulated switchgear and cables. The substations are to be equipped with ABB automation systems and the latest generation of protection and control products, and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.

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“These underground substations are designed to blend into the surrounding landscape and will be based on our latest GIS technology, providing an extremely compact footprint while ensuring high efficiency and safety,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. "You may not see them, but they will strengthen the transmission network and help provide a reliable power supply to this fast-developing region.”

To be executed in five stages, the Musheireb project aims to reconstruct and restore a 35 hectare area in Doha’s old city centre, including car parks, an underground pedestrian area and both new and historic buildings.

Kahramaa is rapidly expanding and enhancing its power grid to meet growing demand for power in the region. Its transmission grid comprises about 200 primary high-voltage and extra-high voltage substations as well as hundreds of kilometers of overhead lines and underground cables. The distribution network includes about 6,500 low and medium-voltage substations, supported by more than 4,500 kilometers of cables.