ETA Power Projects Division (PPD) of the ETA Ascon Group played a prominent role in the Potline 5 project after Alba awarded it a contract in 2003 for a 220 kV power distribution system on a turnkey basis.

The ETA Ascon Group is a multi-dimensional, vastly diversified organisation headquartered in Dubai.
Established in 1973, the group network encompasses 140 branches and associate offices in 20 countries with 35,000 employees.  Consolidated sales for the year ending 2004 were around $2.5 billion.
“In over 3 decades, the group has established an enviable reputation for quality, service and cost-effective technological capability through sheer farsightedness and professionalism,” a company spokesman said.
Its multidivisional activities include engineering and construction; trading and shipping; manufacturing and automobiles; retail and leisure; corporate services and real estate management. Several prestigious building projects executed by Ascon (Associated Constructions & Investments Co LLC) have consolidated its position as one of the most respected construction companies in the UAE.
“In a wide-ranging diversity, continuous innovation and complete customer and share holders’ satisfaction plays a vital part. Hence quality is the single-minded and core pursuit in the application of new technologies,” says the spokesman.
Following the award of the Alba contract, ETA executed the design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of a 220 kV substation and associated works.
The 220 kV substation consists of 34 bays of 220 kV gas-insulated switchgear and 14 transformers ranging from 1 MVA to 315 MVA for Potline-5. This is the biggest 220 kV substation in Bahrain.
The 220 kV GIS was first energised on 28 October 2004 and this has provided power on schedule for start-up and commissioning of Alba’s new Power Station 4 and Potline 5 project.
The 220 kV network is the point of connection and load transfer between the new Power Station 4, Line 5 smelter, existing 132 kV system, 33 kV system and Power station 1 – 3. This also interconnects with the national grid.
The 220 kV GIS is pivotal to the operation of Alba’s Line 5 smelter taking 650 MW from the new Power Station 4, transferring over 500 MW to the new reduction line and providing conduit for the exchange of power with Alba’s existing Power station 3 and the new Ministry of Electricity’s (MEW) Hawar Substation.
This turnkey contract also includes the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of microprocessor-based integrated Substation Control System (SCS) and bay control units (BCUs). This enables to control and monitor the 220 kV & 33 kV substations within the building as well as remote control over the Scada connection to control from Alba’s Main Control room.
In addition to SCS and BCUs, the contract also includes the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a replacement power distribution Scada and energy-management system.
ETA power projects division has done similar power distribution for Dubai Aluminum.
ETA Power Projects Division is an internationally renowned engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor in the field of EHV transmission, distribution, power generation and desalination projects.
With ISO 9001 certification, the division has the expertise to undertake detailed designing, procurement, co-ordination, installation, testing and commissioning of EHV/HV substations, EHV cabling and transmission lines up to 400 kV and desalination and power generation projects in the Middle East and other countries.
The division has an in-house engineering testing and commissioning wing, staffed by qualified and experienced engineers who are trained under the supervision of leading manufacturers of switchgears, transformers, LVAC and DC systems, Scada and communication systems and protection relays.