Hitachi Energy contributed to build a stronger power grid in Northern Saudi Arabia using its Gas-Insulated Switchgear technology

Hitachi Energy is partnering with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply a 380 kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) for National Grid Saudi Arabia Company, the transmission system operator in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing economy and development have led to a surge in demand for electricity, making it one of the fastest-growing electricity consumers in the Middle East and the 11th largest energy consumer in the world.¹

To address this challenge, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy has planned ambitious reforms to enhance the country's power sector capacity, including electricity generation, transmission and distribution, to meet the increasing demand from all consumers sectors. As part of this effort, SEC launched the Build and Employ National Abilities (BENA) program to encourage and support local manufacturing in the energy industry.

By installing the Al Buhairah power link in Tabouk, SEC aims to improve grid resilience, connectivity, and power distribution, thus establishing a stable grid to transmit reliable electricity in northern Saudi Arabia. This is a vital component in supporting the country’s long-term economic growth.

Working closely with L&T, a leading Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) company, and the end-user, National Grid Saudi Arabia Company, Hitachi Energy will deliver its state-of-the-art 380 kV GIS fully assembled and factory tested from Dammam factory in Saudi Arabia.

The GIS technology offers compactness, reliability, and robustness, making it a preferred solution where space is a constraint or in harsh environmental conditions.  

The pre-assembled and factory-tested GIS designed by Hitachi Energy provides significant advantages compared to conventional installation methods. With the GIS fully assembled and tested at the factory, the installation process is streamlined, and on-site worktime is minimized. This approach allows for quicker commissioning and immediately puts the GIS into operation, which translates to reduced downtime and faster delivery of electricity to meet the increasing demand.

The project represents a significant milestone as it deploys the first 380 kV GIS produced by Hitachi Energy’s Dammam factory. The substation is scheduled to be operational in 2024. 

The GIS project will enable Saudi Electricity Company to boost transmission capacity and increase power flow, bringing reliable electricity to the region to meet growing domestic and industrial demand.

Hitachi Energy's delivery of the 380 kV GIS directly contributes to ‘Saudi Vision 2030’, a framework that prioritizes boosting the domestic industry, by supporting the localization initiative.

The GIS is entirely assembled in Hitachi Energy’s modern factory in Dammam that operates according to the company’s global quality, safety standards and processes.




^{1US Energy Information Administration: Country Analysis Executive Summary: Saudi Arabia}