Eng. Salah Alqam to SadaNews: The cost of replacing the transformer in Beit Hanina with a new one exceeded 1.5 million shekels

SadaNews - The Jerusalem Electricity Company announced the replacement of the main transformer at the Beit Hanina transformer station, north of Jerusalem, as part of its strategic plans aimed at developing infrastructure and enhancing the reliability of the electrical current in the town and its surroundings.

The Director of Technical Affairs at the company, Engineer Salah Alqam, stated in his talk to "SadaNews" that "the process of replacing the transformer comes within the framework of the investment projects that the company carries out annually, including the development of high and low voltage networks and the construction of new transformer stations to meet the needs of population and urban growth in Beit Hanina and its surroundings."

Alqam explained that the project included replacing the existing transformer with a new one with a capacity of 20 megavolt-amperes instead of 15 megavolt-amperes, indicating that the purpose of this expansion is to accommodate the increasing urban expansion in the Beit Hanina area, meet the growing electrical loads, and enhance the resilience of the electrical system to ensure continuous supply during emergencies.

He added: "The new transformer features higher efficiency and advanced technologies in control systems and voltage stability, allowing it to be easily integrated into the company's central monitoring and control system, contributing to improving the quality and stability of the service."

Alqam noted that the preparation, transport, and installation process took about five days of intensive work, which included complex logistical arrangements due to the heavy weight of the transformer, which is about 35 tons.

He explained that the company used heavy equipment specifically for transporting and installing the transformer, in addition to stringent safety procedures in coordination between different departments of the company to ensure that the operation was executed smoothly and without interruption in the electrical supply.

Alqam also mentioned that the project's cost exceeded one and a half million shekels, stressing that this investment will positively impact the stability of the electrical current in the Beit Hanina area and the northern parts of Jerusalem, especially after the observations recorded during last winter regarding disruptions in the current due to high loads.

He concluded by saying: "Citizens are expected to notice a significant improvement in the quality and stability of the electrical current this winter, thanks to the modern technologies used in the new transformer and the remote monitoring and control system."