Nick Carter
The Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Co (Transco) will commission a 400kV substation in Abu Dhabi this month, and by May it plans to put into commercial service a Network Control System and Energy Management System for the power network. The equipment is undergoing final tests.

Transco, which is responsible for transmission of power and water in the capital, will also commission water control centres within three months. "Since the creation of Transco there have been significant changes in the company culture and its operating and maintenance practices," said Nick Carter, managing director, Abu Dhabi Distribution Co.

Formal procedures and safety systems have been introduced and implemented, both in power and water, which have necessitated a radical change in approach and a considerable training burden. The number of circuit ends have increased 79 per cent over a two-year period to meet demand and enhance the security of the network or grid.

The western region (Liwa, Ruwais), is now connected to the network and within a few months the connection to Sila in the west will be commissioned, he said. In the case of water, Transco has, at present, the capability of transmitting all that is being produced, something of the order of 200 million gallons per day.

This water supplies the needs of Abu Dhabi, the mainland in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi city and en route to the east, and Al Ain. Carter said utilities need to be managed commercially, regulation is necessary and customer service must be exceptional. Since, the transmission side is strategic, it will be owned by the government, he added.