Operating in the desert storms

Siemens transmission and distribution division is supplying 20 specially designed transformers, costing ¤20 million and with a total installed capacity of some 3500 MVA, as part of a turnkey contract to build the 1500 MW combined-cycle Shuweihat power plant in Abu Dhabi. The transformers will link the generating plant to the Emirate's power transmission network, operating as machine transformers in the power plant and as network transformers in the high-voltage substation. This is one of Siemens' largest ever single power transformer orders.

Maximised operating reliability was one of the main requirements, so they have been specially designed to cope with environmental conditions in the UAE. They are resistant to saline fog and can withstand temperatures of up to 52°C (126 °F) at very high ambient humidity. Siemens power transformers have a reputation for low failure rate, claimed by the company to be the lowest of all manufacturers. The network transformers are due to be completed by February 2003, the machine transformers by August 2003.

The Shuweihat power plant complex, situated some 250 km west of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, is intended for eventual expansion to a total installed generating capacity of around 5 000 MW and desalination capacity to cope with a daily production level of 1.4 million m3 (300 million gallons) of drinking water.