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AfrElec TRANSMISSION AfrElec

GE energises Africa’s first fully

digital high-voltage substation

SENEGAL GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions busi- data can be analysed to optimise asset use and
ness has commissioned Africa’s first fully digital maximise system reliability. Such advantages are
high-voltage substation at Thiès in Senegal. crucial for substations – not only to supply elec-
This 225-kV substation is part of Senegalese tricity to homes, but also to manage the power
utility Senelec’s transmission and distribution flowing into the grid from various renewable
grid expansion, reinforcement and reliability energy sources.
enhancement programme, which is to being Eric Amoussouga, sales director, GE’s Grid
carried out by VINCI Energies West Africa. Solutions Business, sub-Saharan Africa, said:
“This flagship project was made possible due “A digital substation’s advanced functionalities
to the robust synergy among VINCI Energies with its footprint reduced by up to 50% as well
West Africa teams, the technical support of our as accelerated deployment are a key enabler of
team Omexom and the digital expertise of GE’s the energy transition. Moreover, by replacing
Grid Solutions. This first ever digital substation the copper cables with fibre-optic cables – which
on the continent is a great example of how to suc- do not conduct electricity, this makes it safer for
cessfully combine the ongoing energy transition workers during maintenance activities. We are
with a needed digital transformation to make proud to have commissioned the first ever fully
the Senegalese electricity network more reliable digital substation in Africa, contributing to the
and efficient,” said Wassel Bouaouda, VINCI increased reliability of Senegal’s electricity grid.”
Energies. The project contract signed between GE and
Grid’s digital substation brings the flexibil- VINCI Energies in 2018 included the delivery,
ity of software-based applications, resulting in commissioning, installation and the supervision
more opportunities for remote maintenance and of GE’s Grid Solutions digital substation, panels,
upgrades. It also opens the door to a more secure digital control system, current transducer optic
and efficient exchange of data between multi- and voltage transducer optic.™
ple devices. The advantages are that real-time

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