MBR SOLAR 400/132 kV substation and associated works – main & extension project

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.

The MBR SOLAR substation integrates solar power from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park into the Dubai electrical grid. The MBR solar park is located inland 50 kilometers south of Dubai and is a central part of Dubai’s renewable energy strategy.

MBR SOLAR 400/132kV main substation and the extension project, which involved main functions of project management, design, supply, installation, testing & commissioning, including civil & mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.

The MBR SOLAR project was awarded and executed in two stages, mentioned as
below.

MBR SOLAR – Main substation:

The substation is located close to Dubai and the first major infrastructure to be developed as part of the MBR solar project.

The works executed with scope involving design, manufacturing, Installation, testing and commissioning of 400 kV & 132 kV Gas Insulated Switchgears (GIS), 3 x 505 MVA transformers (ICT), its associated protection system including civil & mechanical, electrical and plumbing works. The substation control and monitoring system commissioned in the project complies with DEWA cyber security system requirements.

The substation has been successfully energized on time and has been connected to the DEWA network. Due to the importance of the project, all additional efforts had been taken to adhere to the highest levels of health and safety, and to finish the project on time according to the highest quality standards. The project was successfully completed within 26 months and 20 days. This is a record time for the construction of power stations with a capacity of 400 kV.

No injuries or accidents were reported during the construction of the substation, which accumulated a total of 2.6 million man-hours.

MBR SOLAR- Extension substation:

Based on the successful and timely execution of the MBR SOLAR main project, DEWA issued the extension project.

The scope of works involved 400 kV GIS (3 bays), 132 kV GIS (9 bays), 1 x 505 MVA transformer (ICT), 4 x 30 MVAr, 132 kV bus-reactor, its associated protection system, substation control monitoring system and related civil & mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.

The project has been executed under challenging conditions, since all the extension works were executed in 400/132 kV main substation in energized condition. With experienced staff and stringent safety and quality guidelines once again successfully completed the project on time and has been already connected to DEWA network.

The SHAMS 400/132kV substation will play a main role in the power evacuation of MBR solar park.

Linxon is extremely proud to have been associated with DEWA, in its commitment to contribute for renewable and clean energy projects, to enhance sustainability and green economy, and help establish a brighter and happier future, for generations to come.