Alstom plans to provide a Static VAr Compensator (SVC) to the Jeddah substation in Western Saudi Arabia.
In addition, two 100 MVAr capacitor banks will also be supplied to the Wadi Jaleel substation in Mecca.
The SVC (-150 / + 300 MVAr at 110 kV) will improve the power transmission stability and quality across Saudi Arabia’s power transmission network.
The project is expected to be completed by 2016 and the power will be fed to major areas across Jeddah and Mecca.
The Static VAr Compensator system will utilize Alstom patented SVC configuration to improve technical performance. It will also provide fast voltage support at substations, stabilizing power supply and strengthening the transmission grid.
Additionally in Mecca, Alstom will extend an existing gas-insulated substation at Jeddah North 380 kV BSP and the equipment for this will be manufactured in Tampere (Finland) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) units.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most demanding market areas for power compensation systems. This contract strengthens the company’s position as one of the world leading suppliers for FACTS technology and is a proof of the competitiveness gained with the innovative technology, says, Patrick Plas, senior vice president, Grid Power Electronics and Automation, Alstom Grid.
Saudi Arabia is emerging as the world’s third largest market for Grid and the world’s largest AC substation turnkey market.
The government is spending billions in new infrastructure projects in power, industry, transport and construction.
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com