Saudi Electricity commissions ABB substation

ABB has won an order worth $89m (£59m) from Saudi Electricity, Saudi Arabia’s national power-transmission and distribution provider, to build a substation to ensure reliable power supplies for the King Abdullah Financial District in the city of Riyadh.

The substation will be close to the financial centre and feed four smaller substations situated within the district. The project is expected to be completed in around 22 months.

ABB is responsible for the turnkey delivery of a 380/132/13.8kV substation and will design, supply, install and commission the installation, as well as carry out the civil works. Key products to be supplied include the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), transformers, medium-voltage switchgear and cables.

The substation will be equipped with an IEC 61850 compliant automation, control and protection system. IEC 61850 is an international communications standard that ensures interoperability and open communications between substation devices and other grid installations.

The King Abdullah financial district will host the headquarters of the country’s Capital Market Authority, the Saudi Stock Exchange, and several banks and financial institutions.