Revitalisation of distribution network

The island of Bahrain is served via over 3200 ground-mounted 11 kV/415 V distribution substations (comprising a ring main unit, a transformer, and a low voltage panel) and over 750 pole mounted transformers with much of the network underground. Such severe operating conditions are taking their toll on the distribution plant. Much of the equipment in use were not designed to operate at such ambient temperatures and hence, measures had to be taken towards derating some of the equipment in use. Here, the authors present an outline of the revitalisation project for the Bahrain distribution network