ENGIE opened a new 110/22 kV transformer station in Velika Ida

Bratislava, 28 June 2018

On 27 June 2018, ENGIE Services inaugurated a newly built 110/22 kV transformer station, which will distribute electricity to companies located in the Logistics and Industrial Park in Velika Ida from July. The project, worth EUR 2.7 million, was financed by ENGIE with its own resources, enabling the park’s investors to use their funds for activities supporting their core business. Other business partners, with whom ENGIE is currently negotiating, have already expressed interest in the successful model of financing, construction and operation of the transformer station.

In May 2017, ENGIE Services signed a contract with KKP Invest for the financing, design, construction and subsequent operation of a 110/22 kV transformer station for the area of the Logistic and Industrial Park Veľká Ida. KKP Invest is the owner and developer of the industrial park, which is located in close proximity to Košice, has a total area of 29.4 hectares and excellent potential for the construction and operation of production or logistics halls.

Investment from own resources

ENGIE designed and implemented the project from its own resources. The total investment was EUR 2 765 000. “Financing the project from their own resources allowed the investors of the industrial park to use their financial resources to invest in manufacturing activities. Also on the basis of this successful reference, negotiations are currently underway between ENGIE and other business partners for the implementation of similar projects with self-financing,” says Róbert Ruňanin, Director of the Business Activities Division of ENGIE Services.

A unique project

“The construction of the 110 kV transformer station is an important project for ENGIE, the aim of which is to expand the energy capacity of the industrial park in Velika Ida from the current 3.7 MW to 12 MW, with the possibility of further expansion to 25 MW, i.e. up to the level of a strategic industrial park. The expansion of the park’s energy capacity will have a positive impact on its development, as it will allow the developer to offer space for the construction of new halls to future investors. The arrival of new companies to the region will help to increase employment and support its overall development,” says Róbert Ruňanin.
The purpose of the transformer station construction project is to change the very high voltage of 110 kV (HV) to high voltage of 22 kV (HV) and consequently to ensure a high quality and safe supply of electricity for the companies located in the industrial park.

“As part of our portfolio, we provide energy services to companies in the industrial sector. However, the construction of a transformer station in an industrial park and the supply of electricity to current and future investors is a novelty for us in terms of providing services of this scale and in this area. The project is also unique in that the newly built transformer station in the industrial park in Veľká Ida is one of the few stations in Slovakia that are controlled automatically and unattended,” explains Róbert Ruňanin.

Construction of TS 110/22 kV

The construction of the transformer station, which started in November 2017, was preceded by the development of an implementation project, which consisted of two parts – construction and technological. As part of the construction part, ENGIE carried out the construction of the joint operations building, the steel roofing of the transformers, the construction ducts for cabling, the external lighting, and the operational and site fencing. In addition, it provided earthworks (consolidation of areas and subsoil layering) and landscaping (sloping, access road). The joint operations building serves as the substation control room and within it 22 kV technology (switchgear), a self-consumption transformer, a CCTV system and an electronic security system (ESS) have been installed. In the technological part, the company built a transformer station and installed two three-phase 110/22 kV transformers with a capacity of 25 MVA (2 x 12.5 MVA).

“Construction of similar projects usually takes 15 months. We are therefore proud to have successfully completed this technically demanding project in just 8 months. Considering the shortness of time, it was very important for us to have the cooperation and coordination of all the entities involved in the preparatory, implementation and handover phases. Our thanks go especially to our business partners who actively helped us throughout the project and thanks to whom we were able to successfully complete the construction of the substation on time and start its operation,” says Róbert Ruňanin.

Opening ceremony – 27 June 2018

The transformation station was inaugurated on 27 June 2018 in the presence of Roman Doupovec, CEO of ENGIE Services, Arpad Lörincz, Managing Director of KKP Invest (developer of the Logistic and Industrial Park Veľká Ida), Gabriel Lukács, Head of the Municipal Authority in Veľká Ida and other distinguished guests from the state administration, local government and business. The programme included short speeches in which the speakers highlighted the importance of the construction of the transformation station for the industrial park, the municipality or the region, as well as its importance for the further progress, expansion of services and the development strategy of ENGIE. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a guided tour of the station, after which the guests used the space for informal conversations and networking.

Electricity distribution and other services

The transformer station will start trial operation in July 2018. “ENGIE Services will distribute and supply electricity to the companies located in the industrial park. However, we believe that we will not stop at just supplying energy. We would like to expand our cooperation in other areas of operation and offer them, according to their needs, other services from our comprehensive portfolio,” concludes Róbert Ruňanin.

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