Director-General Mohamed Mohamed Saleh revealed to Al Bayan that replacement projects for existing power stations are currently being implemented in various regions at a cost of about 950 million dirhams, and all of them are scheduled to be completed during the next year 2023.

And he indicated that in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah specifically, 3 substations are being replaced at an approximate cost of 200 million dirhams, in addition to one in Al Dhaid area at a cost of 400 million dirhams, and another in Fujairah at a cost of 150 million dirhams.

He explained that one of the expected projects in the electricity sector in Ras Al Khaimah is the rehabilitation of transmission lines and a number of cables, with the re-planning of distribution panels to suit the new capacities, at a total cost of 86 million dirhams. The current power stations in the emirate amount to 39 stations, including 9 main stations and 30 sub-stations, in addition to more than 5,500 distribution stations.

Saleh stressed that the electricity sector in Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed a great development, as is the case in the rest of the regions where Etihad Water and Electricity provides its services. The establishment of the main control center at the beginning of this century contributed to achieving a qualitative development in the electricity services, as it was possible to operate the network in all areas from one place automatically. In 2012, this center was comprehensively developed, providing it with newer equipment and technologies, and more secure and reliable software.

He added: During the years 2020-2021, the communications network and optical fibers were re-updated to improve the monitoring of the power stations in various areas, as well as the process of transferring data to the control center. 

Currently, a number of projects are being implemented in the electricity sector to keep pace with the urban development witnessed in the northern Emirates, including Al-Sharisha power station in Ras Al Khaimah, with a voltage of (132/33/11) kV. It has a capacity of 270 megavolt-amperes, and it will serve Al-Sharisha area and the neighboring residential areas after the completion of the project, which is estimated to be during the second quarter of next year 2023.