Alstom to increase power transmission stability and quality across Saudi Arabia

Aline Besselièvre (Alstom Grid)
Tel +33 1 49 01 67 60
aline.besselievre@alstom.com

Tarek Solimane (Alstom NME)
Tel: +971 44 29 41 38
tarek.solimane@alstom.com

Sari Luhanka (Alstom Finland)
Tel +358 50 3860 353
sari.luhanka@alstom.com

Alstom Grid has been awarded a 47 million turnkey contract by Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to supply Flexible AC Transmission Systems in Saudi Arabia. Alstom will supply a Static VAr Compensator (SVC) to the Jeddah substation, situated on the coast of the Red Sea in Western Saudi Arabia, and two capacitor banks to the Wadi Jaleel substation in Mecca, located about 200 km from the city of Jeddah. The SVC (-150 / + 300 MVAr at 110 kV) will substantially improve and increase power transmission stability and quality across Saudi Arabias power transmission network. The project is expected to be completed by 2016. 

The Static VAr Compensator system, which will utilise the new Alstom patented SVC configuration (with blocking reactor) to improve technical performance, will provide fast voltage support at substations, stabilising power supply and strengthening the transmission grid; power will be fed to major areas across Jeddah and Mecca. Additionally, Alstom will supply two 100 MVAr capacitor banks to the Wadi Jaleel substation in Mecca, and extend an existing gas-insulated substation at Jeddah North 380 kV BSP (Bulk Supply plant).^[1] Equipment will be manufactured in Alstom units in Tampere (Finland) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

Patrick Plas, Senior Vice President Grid Power Electronics and Automation at Alstom Grid said, Saudi Arabia is one of the most significant and demanding market areas for power compensation systems. This contract strengthens our position as one of the world leading suppliers for FACTS technology and is a proof of the competitiveness gained with our innovative technology.

Saudi Arabia is emerging as the worlds third largest market for Grid and the worlds largest AC substation turnkey market. The government is committed to spending billions in new infrastructure projects in power, industry, transport and construction. 

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over 20 billion and booked 21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14. 

Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planets low carbon economy... for now and for the future.

Alstom Grid has over 130 years experience and ranks among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of 3.8 billion. Alstom Grids 17,000 employees are spread across 87 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one common mission: be our customers trusted partner, from the source to the city.

We are energising a smarter world with Alstom.

[1] Bulk Supply plant consisting of voltage level 380 kV, 110 kV, 13.8 kV at same place