A NEW 16MW POWER PLANT NOW SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL GRID IN SAUDI ARABIA

A16MW power plant - made up of 8 individual gensets linked together - has been installed to support the National Grid in the Kingdom’s western region.

As the installation took place in a residential area, strict and specific regulations had to be followed for the noise level, emissions and safety. The work has been signed and accepted by the relevant authorities, reports the Saudi Diesel Equipment Company.

A spokesman commented: “Many thanks for PEAX staff for such professional work and for a good-looking site.”

Installation and operation activities were carried out by PEAX Equipment Rental - Branch of Saudi Diesel Equipment Group. PEAX Rental and Leasing is part of TAWAD Group which has business interest in Automotive – Heavy Equipment – Power Generation and Real Estate.

PEAX is currently one of the fastest growing car rental and leasing companies in Saudi Arabia with over 2,000 active units in operations.

The 16MW diesel powered peaking power plant has two main functions. Firstly, to support the mains grid transformers each day in long term parallel mode, during the peak hours, when the 20MW transformers are overloaded.

Secondly, it will operate in island mode if any transformers need to be taken out for repair or maintenance. In such an instance the 16MW diesel powerplant would then supply that area.

Typically, a setup like this would have a a SCADA industrial PC system where the authorities could monitor and control the entire system from one location.

The SCADA Industrial PC Control System monitors the fuel economy of the generating sets. The customer can then decide whether to run two generating sets at a lower power, or one single unit.

In the case where one of the mains transformers needs to be taken offline for repair or maintenance, the customer can start all 8 generating sets, synchronise them together and cover the load of this transformer for the required amount of time.

The Saudi Electricity Company SEC was established in 2012 and is responsible for planning, designing, developing, operating and maintaining the transmission network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today the transmission network spans more than 90,000 CKM to cover more than 13,000 cities and villages.

Saudi Arabia is currently enhancing the capacity of its power sector (electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and smart grid) to meet increasing demand efficiently from residential and commercial consumers for electricity, and to support the diversification of its domestic energy mix.

Saudi Arabia aspires to replace the petroleum currently used to generate 42% of the country’s 110-gigawatt daily electricity needs with a mix of 50% natural gas and 50% renewable energy by 2030.

The Ministry of Energy’s spending on power and renewable energy projects is expected to reach US$293 billion by 2030. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister has revealed a national plan to spend US$38 billion in energy distribution by 2030.

To reduce oil consumption in the generation of power, Saudi Arabia plans to upgrade its entire power generation, distribution, and transmission sector.

In addition, Saudi Arabia will develop over 58 GW of solar and wind power, and it will phase out all power stations that use petroleum and diesel. Saudi Arabia also plans to replace its outdated transmission and distribution infrastructure with smart grid technology and promote international grid connectivity. It is estimated that the country will almost double its power generation capacity from 82 GW in 2018 to 160 GW by 2040. saudidiesel.com.sa

Your Success is our Mission

Linz Electric is an Italian company specialized in the production of synchronous alternators up to 1500kVA. Linz Electric’s Mission is to create the most efficient solution to lead customers to success through Made in Italy quality products, flexibility in process and quick and complete service. Linz Electric’s Alternators: Energy for your Success.