Heart of Doha substation, Doha

Qatar's first fully-underground substation.

Arup was commissioned to carry out the design for infrastructure to support the Heart of Doha city development, including two underground primary substations.

The first fully-underground substation in Qatar is a pioneering design that is becoming increasingly the norm for urban substations.

Arup’s design reduced the substation footprint significantly compared to a traditional above-ground station of similar size. The work on the substations also included 66kV gas-insulated switchgear, 40MVA transformers and auxiliary systems – protection, communication and substation automation.

The substation is Qatar's first to be fully underground, with a footprint significantly smaller than the above-ground alternative. (This image does not represent the final installation.) The substation is Qatar's first to be fully underground, with a footprint significantly smaller than the above-ground alternative. (This image does not represent the final installation.)
The substation is Qatar's first to be fully underground, with a footprint significantly smaller than the above-ground alternative. (This image does not represent the final installation.)

Power distribution network

In addition, Arup designed an extensive 11kV power network consisting of approximately 40 distribution substations fed from the two 66/11kV primary substations.

Services provided on the project included civil and structural design for the two substations and coordination of substation work with the wider Heart of Doha development.

Design of substations, including 11kV systems and building services, mechanicalelectrical and public health engineering were also part of the scope.