The Blueprint to Grid Innovation: Behind ENOWA’s First PSS with Farhan Nomani, Manager – Projects TSO

The world is in the middle of an energy revolution. As global demands for sustainable infrastructure grow, we face a critical question: How do we build power systems today that will serve the needs of tomorrow? 

At ENOWA, we’re building the technology to power this future.

 Leaving convention behind

My previous experience in the UK involved working with conventional energy grids that used traditional and rather outdated methods for distribution and connections. While these legacy systems serve their purpose, they simply don't offer the flexibility and capabilities that our evolving energy landscape demands today.

This is what brought me to ENOWA in Saudi Arabia. Here, a sustainable energy landscape wasn't just some futuristic idea; it was a reality brought to life by the brightest minds across different fields. 

At ENOWA, we're implementing technologies that have never been seen before in the energy sector. We're taking all the knowledge and experience of our colleagues from across the globe and steadily working toward a shared vision of clean energy and smart infrastructure. Our approach enhances the grid through strategic connections to projects that harness natural resources like wind and solar to create a truly integrated renewable system.

 Energizing our first Primary Substation (PSS)

In a typical grid, electricity must be carefully managed to safely deliver power to homes and industries. With a Bulk Supply Point (BSP), we take electricity at a much higher transmission level of around 380,000 volts and transform it down to 132,000 volts. This transformed power then flows to multiple PSSs.

Our PSS North project is our first primary substation to be energized and represents significant progress for ENOWA. It’s strategically placed in Zone A of Oxagon's northern area and receives electricity through specially engineered underground cables designed to withstand the extreme desert conditions. These cables feed into the primary substation, where the power is processed and stepped down to lower, safer voltages for distribution across the electricity grid to customers.

From the beginning, our primary goal was to ensure this infrastructure would be available ahead of customer needs. The innovative factories, technologies and industries developing in Oxagon depend on reliable power, which is especially critical given our remote location. Through coordinated efforts, our team successfully completed the project before the end of 2024, ensuring we are ready for this year's customer connections.

This achievement builds on our earlier success with the BSP in Oxagon, which was energized in October 2024. To further strengthen our infrastructure, another substation (PSS EV2) is scheduled for energization later this year, which will establish complete energy resilience throughout the Oxagon area.

Finding success in the face of challenges

Delivering this project in a remote desert location presented numerous challenges, such as the logistics of transporting major equipment and construction materials to such a remote site. We had to think outside the box to maintain our construction schedule while ensuring our supply chain remained responsive and no resources sat idle.

The harsh desert environment, with its extreme temperature variations across seasons, required meticulous engineering, particularly for the underground cables connecting the BSP to the primary substation. We utilized the best and most efficient construction methodologies to ensure these critical components would perform reliably for the next 20 to 30 years.

The project stands out in a region currently experiencing unprecedented development through some amazing gigaprojects, all competing for resources and expertise. And so, what made this achievement possible was the extraordinary commitment and passion demonstrated by everyone involved, from ENOWA and NEOM management to our partners at National Grid of Saudi Arabia and our EPCs. I've never witnessed such collective determination to overcome challenges. This passionate and collaborative spirit stands as the true highlight of my experience with this project.

Looking to the future

At ENOWA, we're developing engineering solutions that will influence global approaches to clean energy, breaking through established boundaries and reimagining what's possible. 

PSS North is a representation of this vision as it is the first tangible form of energy provided in NEOM by ENOWA. It demonstrates that through effective collaboration and resilience, we can achieve ambitious milestones regardless of the challenges we face, especially as we continue to build infrastructure that will support a renewable energy ecosystem for decades to come.