Home
Projects
150 kV High-Voltage Substation, Kelpen-Oler

150 kV High-Voltage Substation, Kelpen-Oler

TruSteel Industry

A future-proof electricity grid starts with steel

The 150 kV high-voltage substation in Kelpen-Oler plays an important role in strengthening the electricity grid in Central Limburg. Growing electricity demand makes additional transmission capacity essential. By upgrading the substation, TenneT, in collaboration with Enexis, is taking an important step towards a future-proof energy grid. TruSteel Industry contributes to this project by supplying a total of 205.2 tonnes of steel for the various structures at the substation.

Meeting the growing demand for energy

Electricity demand is increasing, requiring an electricity grid with sufficient capacity for the future. In Limburg, expanding and upgrading the existing network is essential to meet this demand. The Kelpen-Oler high-voltage substation plays a key role in this development. It forms the link between TenneT's high-voltage grid and Enexis's medium-voltage grid.

The upgrade of the 150 kV substation provides additional transmission capacity for Central Limburg. Its commissioning on 23 January marks an important milestone in strengthening the regional electricity grid.

A standardised concept

As part of its Bay Replacement Program (BRP), TenneT is developing a standardised and modular concept for upgrading high-voltage substations. The programme focuses on the modernisation and replacement of existing 110 kV and 150 kV substations. By using standardised solutions, substations can be upgraded efficiently and with the future in mind.

Kelpen-Oler is part of this development and serves as a test station for the BRP concept. Various types of steel structures come together here, ranging from main busbar supports and lightning masts to bay gantries and transformer supports. The structures must not only meet the technical requirements of the substation but also fit together precisely within the overall design.

In total, we process 205.2 tonnes of steel into the various structural components required for the substation.

Steel structures for the BRP design

For this project, TruSteel Industry makes a substantial contribution to the steel structures of the high-voltage substation. In total, we process 205.2 tonnes of steel into the various structural components required for the substation. A significant part of our work involves structures based on the BRP standard design. These include insulator supports, earthing equipment and lightning masts. Together, these components provide the structural foundation for the substation's electrical installations.

In addition to supplying the steel structures, we also take care of the associated transportation and installation work.

Additional structures

In addition to the standard structures, the project includes various supplementary steel structures based on the experience gained through the Bay Replacement Program. TruSteel Industry supplies, among other things, inner and outer permanent KES structures, temporary KES structures, freestanding lightning masts and support structures for insulators. Transformer supports with OSA and earthing support points, transformer tensioning structures and various gantry structures are also part of the scope of work.

The work is divided into several phases, including phases 1 and 4. By delivering both standardised solutions and additional structures, TruSteel Industry contributes to the realisation of the upgraded Kelpen-Oler high-voltage substation.