Energy Connects Interview with Stefan Reisacher, CEO of Linxon
June 7, 2023
As a leading Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) company, Linxon is providing power solutions to five key market segments: renewables, utilities, data centers, battery energy storage and transportation.
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Linxon is a new company built on 100 years of technology expertise, and 60 years of substation and electrification project experience worldwide – the result of a joint venture between Hitachi Energy and the engineering firm SNC-Lavalin.As a leading Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) company, Linxon is providing power solutions to five key market segments: renewables, utilities, data centers, battery energy storage and transportation.
“Linxon helps cities grow, industries expand, and communities thrive by building a crucial part of the power transmission grid. Linxon offers engineering, procurement, management, and construction services for execution of large, complex AC power substations, including expansion of existing assets in our five main segments”, said CEO Stefan Reisacher.
Successful joint venture with two industry power houses
Thanks to its parent partnership and close collaboration with Hitachi Energy and SNC-Lavalin, Linxon uniquely benefits from having access to the group’s substantial products, resources, and expertise.
“Electrical infrastructure is the key to the success of renewable energy; it’s the backbone of our electric grid and the base of future renewable projects development,” Reisacher explained.
Linxon employs more than 600 highly skilled team members, organized by Hubs in Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia for a total count of nineteen main offices while adding satellite offices as the business grow. The company is focused on sustainability, with most of its projects geared towards integrating renewable energy sources into the grid.
“Renewables in electricity generation is expected to rise from 28% in 2021 to about 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Electricity grids are the backbone of electricity systems, and there is a fundamental need to expand and modernize the grids to support energy transitions. Here, Linxon plays a crucial role as an EPC turnkey substation provider,” said Reisacher.
Substations that meet the demands of tomorrow
Linxon is building the infrastructure to power the world with carbon free energy. The shared company vision is to be the partner of choice for our customers. In fact, the scope of works contributes to reaching net carbon zero in almost every sector where the company operates:
- By connecting renewable power generation to the electrical grid, thereby replacing fossil plants in the generation mix
- By electrifying new rail and metro lines, reducing the carbon and overall ecological footprint of people mobility. A train is much more energy efficient compared to individual transport, even if the cars are powered by electricity.
- By reinforcing the grid to enable the integration of renewable generation, and building higher transmission capacity to cope with higher electricity demand, on account of decarbonizing individual transport buildings and industry.
Long‐term planning, for utilities, countries and as well Linxon, is vital and must account for such things as demand growth, increasing amounts of variable renewables, as well as digitalization of the grid.
Interesting projects across Middle East
“We are excited to be part of the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi and to meet existing and new customers. We have a great track-record in the region with projects delivered or ongoing in Bahrain, Iraq, UAE and Saudi Arabia”, said Reisacher.
Some examples:
MBR solar substation, Dubai
The MBR SOLAR 400/132 kV substation is one of the first projects of the solar park and has a conversion capacity of 1,515 MVA. It will transmit and transform electricity produced from solar energy and connect it to DEWA’s grid. The substation is the first of its kind in the UAE to integrate clean energy with traditional energy grid.
Fadhili GIS substation, Saudi Arabia
A 380-kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation to Fadhili Plant Cogeneration Company (FPCC). The substation will help boost transmission capacity and ensure reliable power supply at a new 1,549-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant in the Al Fadhili area near Jubail in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Shams solar substation, Dubai
The Shams substation in the UAE was another highlight for Linxon. Located approximately 50km south and inland from Dubai, the Shams 400/132kV substation integrates solar power received from one of the largest solar parks in the world, into the Dubai electrical grid.
Tanajib cogeneration 380kV BSP switching station, Saudi Arabia
The development of this cogeneration plant and the seawater desalination plant with a net capacity of approximately 940 MW of electricity generation, a steam output of approximately 1,084 tons per hour, and a desalinated water output of approximately 19,470 cubic meters per day. The Linxon scope is primarily GIS breakers, Control & Protection, Cable works and Civil/ Electro-mechanical works.
Jica lot 2, 132/33 kV GIS, Iraq
Linxon has won an order of around $80 million to the Ministry of Electricity in Iraq for delivery of four turnkey 132/33 kV GIS substations. The contract forms part of the Electricity Sector Reconstruction Project (Phase 2) financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).Rumaila fast-track extension 400 / 132 kV, Iraqn order to meet the continuous power demand in Southern Iraq, one of Iraq’s largest private industrial conglomerates Shamara Holding Group (SHG) was in 2015 selected to build and operate Rumaila 3000 MW natural gas combined cycle power plant. Linxon has been awarded the contract for the fifth and last extension of the 400/132 kV substation for the Rumaila 3000 MW PP. The client is International Free Company (IFC).