Alstom Grid inaugurates upgraded 220 kV substation for Nurek HPP in Tajikistan
Alstom Grid inaugurates upgraded 220 kV substation for Nurek HPP in Tajikistan
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Alstom Grid today inaugurated the upgraded 220 kV gas-insulated substation at the Nurek hydropower plant (HPP), in the presence of Emomalii Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, Sheraly Gul, Minister for Energy and Industry, Asliddin Nazarov, Chairman of Barki Tojik, National Power Company of Tajikistan, and represantatives of the French and German Ambassies in Tajikistan.
The substation replaces a 220 kV air-insulated substation following a complex 22 million upgrade project. This highly strategic 220 kV air-insulated substation supplies power for 80% of Tajikistans consumers.
Nurek HPP is the largest hydropower station in Central Asia with an installed generation capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW) and produces over 75% of Tajikistan's electricity. Its functions includes power generation, frequency regulation of Central Asia networks and irrigation supply for downstream countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The 220 kV air-insulated substation upgrade project is the first stage in the Nurek HPP programme managed by Alstom Grid.
Alstom Grid and Barki Tojik signed the Nurek HPP contract in 2010 and 2011 for the upgrade of both the 220 kV air-insulated substation and a 500 kV air-insulated substation respectively. This is the first project in Central Asia to use 220 kV and 500 kV gas-insulated substation technology. During the 220 kV upgrade, Alstom replaced the air-insulated substation with a gas-insulated substation, occupying 5% of its footprint. The project was highly complex due to the strategic importance of the substation for the Tajikistan network, the proximity of the substations live parts and the rocky conditions at the site[1].
Marek Stec, President of Alstom in Central Asia, said, Opening the upgraded substation is a new milestone in the lasting and mutually-beneficial collaboration between Alstom Grid and Barki Tojik. Nurek HPPs 220 kV and 500 kV gas-insulated substation upgrade projects are essential to ensuring safe and reliable electricity supply in Tajikistan. At Alstom, we are glad to bring our most up-to-date technologies and solutions to support the countrys economic development.
The second stage of the Nurek HPP project will include the 500 kV air-insulated substation upgrade. For this turnkey project, Alstom Grid will replace the existing 500 kV air-insulated substation with a 500 kV gas-insulated substation. Currently, on-site construction works are under way and equipment is being delivered to Tajikistan. The 500 kV substation is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2014.
[1] Tajikistan has enormous hydro power potential. Less than 10% of the nations hydroelectric energy resources have been developed, resources that could be producing 40 GW of energy. Making the most efficient use of these resources will be critical to meeting the growing electricity needs of Central and South Asia countries, as well as providing sustainable economic growth.
Mountains referred to the highest Central Asian ranges such as the Tien Shan and the Pamirs occupy 93 per cent of Tajikistans territory. Nearly half the countrys territory is located at the altitude of over 3000m.
Alstom Press contacts
Nathalie Bourotte (Alstom Grid) Tel +33 1 49 01 62 17
Ekaterina Dobrogorskaya (Russia & CIS) Tel + 7 916 982 4517