COTES to design upgrading of 500 kV outdoor switchgear for Ekibastuzskaya GRES-1

The switchgear is destined to distribute electric power produced by EGRES-1 (from 8 power units, 500 MW each) and re-distribute power from the Northern Grids of Kazakhstan (Karaganda, Pavlodar, Akmola regions).

Having won the tender, COTES is going to engineer the upgrading of the switchgear and submit the design to the State Expert Review Board of the Republic of Kazakhstan for approval, as well as carry out field supervision for the project.

Currently, the 500 kV switchgear consists of 4 busbar sections. In the course of modification, out-of-date and worn-out equipment will be replaced with new cutting-edge hardware. To increase reliability of power supply by the plant, twinned units Nos5-6 and Nos7-8 will be separated, and each of the four units will be individually connected to 500 kV switchgear busbars. Moreover, refurbished will be protective fences and outdoor illumination. The design shall also provide for an integrated video surveillance system and security alarm.

Development of design documentation is expected to be completed by the end of 2012 while the upgrading will be finished in 2015.