#Shanghai Electric #Uzbekistan #Digital Substation #Zafarabad

The Launch of Uzbekistan's First Digital Substation

The Zafarabad 220kV digital substation in the Jizzakh province marks a pivotal development in Uzbekistan's energy landscape, having recently been completed by Shanghai Electric. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning around 75,000 square meters, is expected to dramatically enhance electricity delivery in the eastern part of the country.

Addressing Persistent Energy Challenges

For over two decades, Uzbekistan has struggled with chronic shortages of natural gas and electricity, forcing many residents to rely on traditional stoves and makeshift heating solutions to endure harsh winter months. The completion of the Zafarabad digital substation is set to play a crucial role in reinforcing the power grid in the region. With a capacity of 400 megawatts, this new stronghold will effectively double the electric supply to the Jizzakh area, ensuring stability for both industrial firms and residential neighborhoods.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Enhanced Performance

The substation is equipped with two 250 MVA autotransformers developed and manufactured by Shanghai Electric, which will step down the voltage from the higher-level 220 kV network to 110 kV, making it suitable for local distribution. This will provide reliable and high-quality electricity to the Jizzakh province, meeting the region's growing electricity demands as it develops.

A significant innovation introduced with the Zafarabad project is a fully digitized system designed to greatly enhance operational efficiency and safety. This substation has advanced monitoring and data collection systems in place, which reduce the need for on-site maintenance personnel while improving operational safety. In instances of emergencies, the system's real-time monitoring can swiftly locate faults and adjust power loads to prevent service interruptions.

Shanghai Electric's Proven Expertise

In October 2021, Shanghai Electric secured a turnkey contract with the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan. For the first digital substation in Uzbekistan, the project team successfully navigated a variety of challenges, including multi-party coordination, language barriers, and technical tuning. Not only did the team optimize project configurations, but they also ensured that comprehensive training was provided. Throughout the construction phase, a synergy between Chinese and Uzbek teams facilitated the timely completion of the main infrastructure of the project while achieving a remarkable three years of operational safety without incidents.

This successful venture exemplifies Shanghai Electric's commitment to enhancing the energy infrastructure within Uzbekistan and underscores their ongoing role in driving digital transformation across the energy sector. For more information, visit Shanghai Electric's website.