Complete Substation Solution for Addis Ababa International Airport Expansion
Project Name: Bole International Airport Terminal Expansion – Power Distribution Package
Country: Ethiopia
Supplied Products:
35/10kV 20MVA Oil-Immersed Power Transformers (2 units)
KYN28-12 Medium Voltage Switchgear Panels (42 panels)
VS1-12 Indoor Vacuum Circuit Breakers (withdrawable type)
GCS Type Low Voltage Switchgear Panels (65 panels)
Reactive Power Compensation Cabinets (15 units)
Prefabricated 10kV Containerized Substation Units (6 sets)
SCADA & Protection Relay System Integration
Client: Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (through EPC Contractor, China Communications Construction Co.)
Delivery Time: December 2024
Application: Reliable 24/7 power supply for new passenger terminal, runway lighting, baggage systems, and auxiliary services
Project Overview:
QZ Switchgear supplied a complete MV/LV distribution and substation package for the Addis Ababa International Airport expansion, a flagship infrastructure project in East Africa. The system ensures uninterrupted and stable power for critical airport loads, including flight control towers, runway lighting, and passenger terminal facilities.
Technical Highlights:
Transformer Section
2 x 20MVA step-down transformers, 35/10kV, ONAN/ONAF cooling
Special insulation design to handle high altitude (2300m above sea level)
Medium Voltage Side
42 KYN28-12 metal-clad switchgear panels, each fitted with VS1-12 vacuum circuit breakers
Bus-coupler, incomer, feeder, and capacitor bank configurations
Fully compliant with IEC62271 and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) grid codes
Low Voltage Side
65 GCS type LV panels for baggage handling, HVAC, runway lighting, and data systems
Reactive compensation cabinets with smart controllers for power factor correction
Bus duct connection between LV panels and transformers for reduced losses
SCADA & Monitoring
Digital protection relays (Siemens 7SJ/7SD series) integrated into airport SCADA
Remote monitoring of breaker status, transformer temperature, and feeder load
Real-time alarms for mission-critical airport systems
Client Benefits:
Mission-critical reliability: Dual transformer + busbar coupling design ensures uninterrupted supply
Customized engineering: High-altitude transformer design solved cooling challenges
Faster commissioning: Pre-tested containerized substations shortened installation by 2 months
International compliance: FAT witnessed by Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and EPC engineers
