Middle East and North Africa - Mena region is facing major issues

According to Khalid Amin, Senior Electrical Engineer at Electricity and water Authority, Bahrain, the MENA region is currently facing a major issue with the fast degradation of the cellulosic insulation in oil-immersed power Transformers and reactors. Unfortunately, many of the planning experts writing the scope of works for shunt reactors are excluding cooling fans from their projects. According to Khalid, this is a serious oversight, as shunt reactors in the region are often required to operate in very high ambient temperatures outdoors and, in some cases, without proper shading.

Accelerated aging could be prevented from the initial design specifications. To ensure the longevity of these shunt reactors, proper shading, a healthy cooling system, effective breather units, and successful oil processing techniques should be implemented. Without these measures, the risk of fast degradation of the cellulosic insulation will only increase.

MENA region should take this issue seriously and take the necessary steps to ensure the longevity of these shunt reactors. By implementing the measures outlined above, the risk of fast degradation of the cellulosic insulation could be minimized. Ignoring this issue would only result in further problems in the future.

Source: Khalid Amin, Senior Electrical Engineer at Electricity and water Authority, Bahrain