Drombeg Solar Farm, Ireland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Kirby was awarded the design and build contract of a 110kV AIS substation, which was looped into an existing overhead line traversing the site. The new substation was constructed to serve as a grid connection point for an adjacent solar farm, with capacity to facilitate future expansion needs.

The on-site works included the delivery of an IPP-side 33kV station to enable the connection of a 50MW solar farm to the grid, the first phase of a larger development planned in Listowel, County Kerry.

As part of the substation works, Kirby also constructed a 110/38kV transformer and 38kV busbar on behalf of Energia, facilitating the separate connection of their windfarm into the 110kV station. As the design and build contractor and PSCS for the project, Kirby, was responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction and pre-commissioning of all electrical and civil works with EirGrid, ESB Networks and client functional specifications.

SCOPE OF WORK

Kirby scope of works included design and build of electrical and civils / building works.

• Primary Equipment Transmission Connection
• Primary Equipment Distribution Connection
• Earthing & Bonding
• Control & Protection System
• MV Cable Connection System
• Fibre Network
• OHL
• DC Battery Systems
• General & Emergency Lighting
• General Service Power
• Mechanical Plant Service Power
• Fire Detection & Alarm
• Access Control, Intruder & CCTV
• Lightning Protection
• SCADA

The civil scope of works completed by Kirby included:

• Construction of TSO substation building and compound, including control room with raised access floor, bunded battery room and WC.
• Construction of IPP substation building and compound, including switchgear room and supporting steelwork, raised access floor control room, as well as mess room and WC.
• Construction of approximately 70 nr. 110kV AIS and miscellaneous foundations.
• Construction of 2 nr. 110kV transformer bunds and fire walls including NER and house transformer.
• Installation of additional LV supply connections.
• Installation of all associated blockwork trenches, HV, LV and fibre ducting including associated chambers and kiosks.
• Installation of earthgrid for entire substation compound.
• Platform excavation and construction for extension to substation compound.
• Construction of 2 nr. 110kV OHL masts and foundations including gantry mast and foundation construction to connect into compound.
• Installation of all associated drainage and foul including attenuation tank, petrol interceptor, sealed pipework, oil discriminating bund pump and foul tank.
• Installation of bored well water supply including water treatment and sealed pipework.
• Construction of perimeter palisade fencing and gates as well boundary concrete post and rail and gates.

Installed plant items included 6 nr. Distribution Boards, 37 nr. Control & Protection Panels, 15 nr. DC Cabinets, 2 nr. Transformers (1 nr. 110 MVA Grid Trafo and 1 nr. 250 kVA HoT), 19 nr. Surge Arresters, 13 nr. Disconnectors, 4 nr. Circuit Breakers, 2 nr. Current Transformers, 2. nr Voltage Transformers, 1 nr. NER, 99 nr. Post Insulators, and 7 nr. MV Switchgear Cubicles.