Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said it has commissioned a new 400/132 kV substation at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. It has a conversion capacity of 2020 megavolt-amperes (MVA) with 223 km of 400kV overhead lines to connect with Dewa’s network.

 

Dewa Managing Director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer commissioned the substation named 'Shams' in the presence of Hussein Lootah, Executive Vice President of Transmission (Power); Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence and other senior officials.

 

Inaugurating the 400/132 kV Shams substation is part of Dewa’s efforts to raise the capacity of the power transmission network and increase the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix, stated Al Tayer. 

 

"This achieves the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75 percent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050," he noted.

 

Al Tayer pointed out that the total value of Dewa’s power transmission network under construction exceeds AED8.5 billion. 

 

The Shams substation has been built at a total cost of AED562 million clocking over two million safe working hours without injuries. ABB Linxon implemented the project, he noted. 

 

Drones were used to follow work progress remotely round-the-clock as well as arrange for virtual site visits. This ensured the implementation of the project while protecting the health of workers, he added.

 

Lootah said the Shams substation uses the latest digital technologies in line with Dewa’s efforts to enhance digital transformation in all its services and operations. 

 

With this new launch, the total number of 400/132 kV substations in Dubai now stands at 24, in addition to three new substations that Dewa is currently building.

 

Shams substation uses the latest control and protection systems. It includes 14 (400 kV) Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), 28 (132 kV) GIS, and four 400/132 kV transformers with 2020 MVA capacity.