ABB delivers substation to enable power flow from solar park in Dubai

ABB collaborates with DEWA to integrate solar energy and support UAE’s clean energy ambition

ABB has successfully energized a major substation that will help evacuate power from the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park, a key element of the vision to generate 7 percent of Dubai’s power from clean energy sources by 2020; 25 percent by 2030, and 75 percent by 2050.

The 400/132 kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation has been built for Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), the UAE’s leading power utility, to connect the second phase of the MBR Solar Park and integrate 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the transmission grid. The utility scale solar photovoltaic plant, which covers 4.5 square kilometers, will produce enough electricity to serve more than 130,000 people. Its addition to the UAE network displaces the need for power from fossil fuels that would have produced about 250,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Further expansions are planned and the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park, when completed by 2030, will be spread across a 70 square kilometer area, making it the largest single-site solar project in the world with a capacity of 5,000 MW – enough to serve 800,000 homes and help mitigate the impact of around 6.5 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. This development supports the UAE’s goal to be a global center of clean energy and a green economy by 2050.

“We are proud to work with DEWA and be associated with this important project. Our state-of-the-art GIS substation will boost transmission capacity and bring clean solar power to the people” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids Division. “Integrating renewables is a key element of our Next Level strategy as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”

ABB was responsible for the design, engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of the substation. Key product supplies include 11 bays of 400 kV and 21 bays of compact 132 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), power transformers and IEC 61850-based open architecture automation and control systems.

“DEWA works to build world-class energy infrastructure that meets Dubai’s development demands. This is part of our ongoing efforts to achieve our ambitious strategy and plans, to deliver the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency in a sustainable manner, while minimizing environmental impact”” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA.

Image: ABB delivers substation to enable power flow from solar park in Dubai (Source: ABB)