Ethiopia Kenya HVDC link 2000 MW: Advanced engineering for bidirectional energy transmission

Ethiopia | Kenya

The Ethiopia Kenya HVDC link 2000 MW, with IDOM’s involvement, is a strategic electrical transmission project connecting both countries via a 1,000 km overhead line and a 2,000 MW bipolar ±500 kV configuration. This Ethiopia Kenya HVDC link 2000 MW enhances the security, stability, and quality of electricity supply, enabling bidirectional energy transfer between the national grids of Ethiopia and Kenya. IDOM has provided basic and detailed engineering for the converter stations in Suswa and Sodo, the expansion of AC substations, the design of grounding electrodes, as well as technical and procurement support during execution.

The project is a 2,000 MW HVDC power transmission link between the national electricity systems of Ethiopia and Kenya, through a 1,000 km of high voltage direct current (HVDC) overhead line. The HVDC operates as a bipolar configuration (± 500 kV), although a monopolar operation is allowed.

IDOM has developed the basic and detailed engineering of the facilities located at the ends of the link (Suswa in Kenya and Sodo in Ethiopia), composed of bipolar converter stations (parks of 400/220/33 kV, ± 500 kV), associated valve and transformer buildings, the control buildings, as well as the extension of the existing 220 kV alternating current substations, and the overhead connection lines of 220 kV and 400 kV between the existing substations and the new parks. Likewise, IDOM has developed the detailed engineering of the ground electrodes associated with the converters of both countries, with a vertical configuration of double ring.

The scope of the services provided by IDOM for ISOLUX, which has also included the technical specifications of purchases and technical assistance during the construction phase, develops the electrical, mechanical, control, civil, and infrastructure disciplines.

Substations