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Emirates National Grid set for completion by 2006

DUBAI - The proposed Emirates National Grid (ENG) which is expected to interconnect various power grids within the UAE, is scheduled to be complete by mid 2006, says Anwar H. Zuarub, project manager, Union Water and Electricity Company (UWEC).

Presently, Abu Dhabi Government is undertaking various feasibility studies to assess and provide power supply for growing industrial demand.

The rise in industrial demand for power is foreseen from various forthcoming industrial projects in Fujairah and Northern Emirates. The current demand for power is assessed at 1,100MW, which is expected to increase.

The UWEC, yesterday announced the completion of a new transmission line, which is an early part of 68km power transmission line set up from Fujairah to Al Dhaid.

The UWEC's Dh120 million power project is completed by Larsen and Toubro.

Under the instruction from His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of UAE, UWEC has completed the 400kV Transmission line that connects Fujairah Water and Power Plant (FWPP) and the FEWA network at Al Dhaid.

Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Chairman UWEC, has taken keen interest in completing this key infrastructure project in Northern Emirates on fast track. With the completion of this Transmission Line FEWA network can utilize the entire power generation capacity of FWPP to meet the growing power demand in Northern Emirates.

The FWPP and 400kV Transmission line are the part strategic investments being made by UAE offset group through UWEC, for strengthening the power infrastructure in Northern Emirates and to meet the growing water demand in Abu Dhabi Emirates, added Zuarub.

Zuarub, further said: "The project has a unique undertaking as it overcomes the difficulties posed by the rough terrain to set up the infrastructure to deliver power for industrial purposes in this area. The 68 km double circuit 400kV overhead power transmission line from the UWEC Fujairah Water and Power Plant, to the Al Dhaid substation in Sharjah, will support the industrial development of Northern Emirates in general, and the Emirates of Fujairah in particular.

V. Kesavan, project manager, Larsen and Toubro, said: "The project, contracted to the Indian multinational Larsen and Toubro Limited on a turnkey basis, under Fichtner Consulting Engineers was completed in less than two years. In order to complete the project we had to overcome a host of environmental challenges, including identifying the shortest yet safest route to position the 152 towers, given the rocky and mountainous terrain between Fujairah and Al Dhaid.

Moreover, since the route did not have motorable access from the highway, access roads for the total route and smaller roads to individual tower locations had to be constructed.

In total, approximately 75kms of access and finger roads were built in order to complete the project.

In comparison with other towers in the emirates, heavier material has been used in the construction of the towers in this project. The towers have been designed specifically for the project so that they will be able to withstand the area's strong wind conditions.

The heaviest structure in the line weighs about 107MT. This structure is one of the heaviest transmission line towers in the world and has been tested for designed loads at an independent third party test bed.