Sultartangi substation

The transformer bays are connected by cables to unit transformers in a nearby Hydro Power Plant. The substation is equipped with all necessary auxiliary equipment such as station service transformer, 400 V distribution and double 110 V DC systems. The local control cubicles for the respective GIS bay are of the hard-wired type but the next two control levels are by PLC control and local SCADA system. The highest control level is from dispatch centre in Reykjavík via gateway. The protection relays are of modern numerical type. The switchgear and all auxiliary equipment is located in a concreted building on two elevations.

In 2003/2004 the substation was extended by one transmission line bay and is foreseen to be extended by one transmission line bay in the future. At the same time the higher level control system was partly renewed. This extension included extension of the switchgear hall of concreted building.

Verkís services was all disciplines, civil, mechanical and electrical, project planning design, design memoranda, tender design, technical specifications and tender documents, both for the civil work and the substation equipment, all detail design of the substation building and it´s appurtenances; structural design, design of steel structures, piping, ventilation, embedded earthing and electrical installations in the building.

The Challenge

The Sultartangi Substation was developed to provide a reliable high-voltage connection between the Sultartangi Hydropower Plant and Iceland’s national transmission network. The project required a modern, expandable substation capable of supporting growing transmission demands while ensuring safe, dependable operation of critical power system infrastructure.

Our Solution

Verkís delivered multidisciplinary engineering services covering every aspect of the project, including project planning, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical design, tender documentation and technical specifications. Our work included the design of the GIS switchgear building, structural steelwork, building services, earthing systems, ventilation, electrical installations and the integration of modern protection, control and SCADA systems. Verkís also supported the later expansion of the substation to accommodate additional transmission capacity.

The Sultartangi Substation provides a robust and future-ready connection between renewable hydropower generation and Iceland’s electricity grid. Designed for long-term reliability and future expansion, the facility strengthens transmission capacity while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of one of the country’s key renewable energy hubs.