Alstom Grid has launched the upgraded 220kV gas-insulated substation at the Nurek hydropower plant (HPP) in Tajikistan.
The substation has replaced a 220kV air-insulated substation, following a complex €22m upgrade project.
Nurek hydropower plant has an installed generation capacity of 3GW and produces over 75% of Tajikistan’s electricity.
The 220kV air-insulated substation upgrade project is the first stage in the Nurek HPP program managed by Alstom Grid.
The second stage of the Nurek HPP project will include the 500kV air-insulated substation upgrade.
For the turnkey project, Alstom Grid will replace the existing 500kV air-insulated substation with a 500kV gas-insulated substation.
Currently, on-site construction works are under way and equipment is being delivered to Tajikistan, while the 500kV substation is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2014.
Alstom Grid and Barki Tojik signed the Nurek HPP contract in 2010 and 2011, for the upgrade of both the 220kV air-insulated substation and a 500kV air-insulated substation, respectively.
During the 220kV upgrade, Alstom replaced the air-insulated substation with a gas-insulated substation.
Alstom Central Asia president Marek Stec said, "Opening the upgraded substation is a new milestone in the lasting and mutually-beneficial collaboration between Alstom Grid and Barki Tojik."
"Nurek HPP’s 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 country’s economic development," Stec added.