GE powers up Qatar’s Lusail City with locally designed substation automation and protection

Tuesday 08 November 2016

Doha - MENA Herald: GE Energy Connections (NYSE: GE) is setting a new benchmark in localized provision of power solutions with a contract to support the power supply of Qatar’s future smart city, the Lusail City mega-development that will also be the host venue of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

GE Energy Connections’ Grid Solutions business has won the contract from L&T for Lusail City, to support seven 66/11kV substations with advanced protection and automation systems. The project will support the electricity needs for nearly 450,000 people who are expected to take up residence in Lusail City, which is envisaged to have marinas, residential districts, island resorts, commercial districts, luxury shopping, leisure and entertainment centers and a golf course community in the man-made islands.

The Lusail Iconic Stadium, with a capacity of over 80,000 people, and set to host the opening and final matches of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup is also part of this master-planned mega-development.

In a significant first, GE is providing both the main relays marking the exclusive provision of all protection equipment for the substations. In addition, more than 400 protection panels and the full DS Agile substation automation system for the seven substations are provided by Grid Solutions.

Eng. Essa M. Kaldari, Chief Executive Officer of Lusail Real Estate Development Company, said: “Lusail City is the smart city of the future that reflects the Qatar National Vision 2030 to drive economic diversification. As the home venue of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, the mega-development is setting new benchmarks in infrastructure and amenities. With its proven expertise in supporting Qatar’s power sector, GE serves as an ideal partner to drive the electricity infrastructure for the development.”

Mohammed Mohaisen, President & CEO Grid Solutions, Middle East and Central Asia, said: “The contract for Lusail City marks a first for GE in the country as we provide an integrated protection and automation solution that is completely equipped by GE and designed locally by our Qatar-based Grid Solutions team. GE has been a partner for the 2006 Asian Games, and now with our project for Lusail City, we are bringing our competencies to support another sporting spectacle hosted by the country. We will draw on our industrial internet strengths to deliver high levels of efficiency to the substations through advanced automated solutions.”

The seven substations in Lusail City protected and automated by GE are located in Qetafian Island South, West1, West2, Wadi1, Wadi2, North and Marina. The panels are scheduled for supply by April 2017 and all the seven substations will be energised by the end of next year.

The advanced grid technology will be showcased by GE at its booth G2 at GCC Power to be held until November 10, 2016, at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha, under the patronage of HE Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada.

With over 70 years of active presence in the country, GE has been a trusted partner in the socio-economic growth story of Qatar and is a close partner of Kahramaa in developing the country’s power needs for generations to come. Today, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, GE has expanded its business offerings, and has marked a global first with the introduction of its Industrial Internet solutions for the LNG sector in the country through its partnership with RasGas.

GE has over 400 employees in the country, working across three offices and advanced facilities that support the growth vision of the nation. GE and Al Farraj Trading & Manufacturing Company (FTMC) have signed an agreement whereby FTMC will assemble and supply GE electrical equipment to five key Middle Eastern countries: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan.

To further support the growing requirements of its relationship with GE, FTMC is inaugurating a new manufacturing facility in Doha. The 7,000 square meter plant will manufacture electrical equipment used in the protection and distribution of electricity in residential, commercial and industrial applications. It will also create up to 150 new jobs in the country.

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