Doha, Qatar; August 27 2013: Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) announced the successful completion and testing of the first substation at Msheireb Downtown Doha, the flagship development of Msheireb Properties.
The 66 kilovolt (kV) substation is the first energised underground substation in Qatar, and is the result of extensive cooperation between KAHRAMAA and the Msheireb Properties project team.
The substation was jointly designed and developed by Msheireb Properties and KAHRAMAA, with KAHRAMAA providing internal design and electrical plans. The substation is connected to the Ras Abu Aboud super substation to ensure a reliable supply of electricity throughout the Msheireb project master plan while minimising any environmental impact.
Eng. Mohamed Al Dosari, Manager of Electricity Projects from KAHRAMAA, said: "We are proud to have reached this milestone in the development of our country's power infrastructure by introducing the first underground substation design, in line with the sustainable ethos of Msheireb Downtown Doha. This ground-breaking technology will deliver efficient, cost-effective energy throughout Msheireb Downtown Doha in the most environmentally responsible manner. We're delighted to have achieved this technological milestone in Qatar and believe the Msheireb project to be the perfect fit for such pioneering infrastructure."
Eng. Mohammad Masoud Al Marri Chief Officer Design & Delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: "We are proud to have Doha's first 66kV substation on the site of Msheireb Properties' signature development. The environmental considerations of the substation represent another breakthrough for the Msheireb Downtown Doha project team and underscore our long-term commitment to sustainable development and industry best practice."
The substation is located in the Phase-1A of the Msheireb master plan. An underground location was chosen in order to preserve the traditional character of the project's distinctive design and to maximise the amount of green space open to the public. Aside from two primary 66kV substations, the project will also house forty 11kV stations, all of which will be located underground.
"Space and design were key considerations," said Al Marri. "Having the substation below ground was the most creative solution to avoid disturbing the existing heritage sites within the Msheireb Downtown project and to make the best use of natural light and ventilation, as well as technologies promoting electricity and water efficiency."
Sustainability is at the core of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the design of which is based on a high-density master plan. On completion, the project will be an iconic landmark in Doha with the highest concentration of LEED-certified buildings in a single community anywhere in the world.
KAHRAMAA is the sole transmission and distribution utility service provider for the electricity and water sector in Qatar. The corporation aims to provide the local community with high-quality electricity and water services, whilst preserving the environment.
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About Msheireb Properties:
Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation's aims as well as the realisation of Qatar's 2030 Vision.
Msheireb Properties' mission is to change the way people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life, through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment.
Msheireb Properties spent three years researching Qatari architecture and numerous approaches to urban planning all over the world with the most respected experts in the industry - in order to realise an architectural language rooted in the best of the past that may be preserved for and by future generations.
The company's name, Msheireb, means 'a place to drink water' and is the historical name of the downtown area of Doha. The company's corporate identity depicts the mouth of a stone well, a feature of traditional Gulf societies, and its distinct ink effect evokes classical Arabic calligraphy.
Msheireb Properties recently achieved ISO certification from the British Standards Institution for quality (ISO 9001:2008), environmental performance (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health and safety (BS OHSAS 18001:2007). The company has also earned widespread industry recognition, including at the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards in Cannes, France.
© Press Release 2013
