[ferro-alloys.com]Kola MMC (part of the Nornickel Group) completed stage 1 of its project to upgrade distribution substation No. 70. The substation supplies electricity to the electrolysis section of the tank-house at the Monchegorsk site, as well as to the active storage of chlorine. This is seen as a landmark event for Kola MMC, which is implementing a large-scale investment project to introduce a nickel electrowinning technology to the existing capacities.

The switchgear RU-10 kV is being replaced to ensure uninterrupted power supply. The new switchgear will feature four sections with separate infeed and power users.

Stage 1 of the upgrade project saw dismantling of two sections and an overhaul of the premises where equipment is located. 17 high-voltage cells with vacuum circuit breakers, microprocessor-based protection units, arc flash protection with optical arc fault sensors, and antiresonance voltage transformers were also installed.

Nornickel will invest over RUB 156 m in the project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2018.

The substation was commissioned in 1982. By now, its equipment has become worn out and obsolete, with spare components no longer in production, translating into higher risk of emergency.

• [Editor:王可]