Project overview
In September 2018, Kutehjumble was contracted by West Africa Peache at Batonkunku to carry out the full supply and installation of a 33 kV Overhead Line (OHL) extension, a 33/0.4 kV, 250 kVA distribution substation, and a complete Low Voltage (LV) distribution network. The project demanded end-to-end high-voltage and low-voltage electrical engineering expertise — from extending the 33 kV overhead transmission line to the site, through the construction of a dedicated step-down substation, to the build-out of a low-voltage network distributing power across the West Africa Peache facility at Batonkunku. Kutehjumble supplied all materials and equipment and executed the installation works in full.
West Africa Peache required a dedicated, purpose-built electrical supply infrastructure to power its operations at Batonkunku. Kutehjumble delivered a fully integrated solution — bringing in 33 kV power from the national grid, stepping it down through a 250 kVA substation, and distributing reliable low-voltage power to every point of use across the facility.
What was supplied and installed
High voltage overhead line
A new 33 kV overhead line section was designed, supplied, and constructed to extend the existing national transmission network to the West Africa Peache site at Batonkunku. This included the erection of transmission poles, the stringing and tensioning of 33 kV conductors, fitting of insulators and line hardware, and installation of all earthing and safety provisions required for a safe, energised 33 kV line.
Distribution substation
A 250 kVA, 33/0.4 kV step-down distribution substation was constructed to receive the 33 kV incoming supply and transform it to 400 V for use across the facility. Kutehjumble supplied and installed the power transformer, high-voltage switchgear, LV distribution board, protection systems, metering equipment, earthing arrangements, and the substation structure and enclosure.
Low voltage distribution network
A full Low Voltage distribution network was constructed from the substation LV board to all load points and consumer connection positions across the West Africa Peache premises at Batonkunku. The LV network was designed to handle the site’s operational load requirements safely and efficiently, with appropriate circuit protection and distribution equipment installed throughout.
Understanding the 250 kVA, 33/0.4 kV specification
The 33 kV primary voltage reflects the voltage level of the national grid infrastructure serving the Batonkunku area — meaning a simple LV connection was not available, and a dedicated high-voltage supply with its own step-down substation was required. At 250 kVA capacity, the substation is sized to reliably serve the sustained electrical demands of West Africa Peache’s commercial and industrial operations, providing sufficient headroom for machinery, processing equipment, lighting, and ancillary loads — while remaining appropriately matched to the site’s actual consumption profile.
This project vs the Sanyang Fisheries project (January 2018)
West Africa Peache — Sep 2018
250 kVA substation, Batonkunku
A 250 kVA transformer rated for commercial-scale operations, with a 33 kV OHL extension and LV network serving the Batonkunku facility’s load requirements.
Sanyang Fisheries — Jan 2018
500 kVA substation, Tanji
A heavier-duty 500 kVA installation serving the high-energy demands of an industrial fisheries operation including cold storage and processing machinery at Tanji.
Scope of work
- Engineering design & planning — Electrical design of the 33 kV OHL extension route, substation layout and single-line diagram, transformer sizing confirmation, LV network topology, and protection coordination — all prepared to applicable utility and safety standards.
- Site survey & route planning — Comprehensive survey of the Batonkunku site to establish the 33 kV line corridor, substation siting, and LV distribution routes, with clearance checks and load centre mapping.
- Procurement & supply of all materials — End-to-end procurement of all project materials including 33 kV poles, conductors, insulators and line fittings, the 250 kVA transformer, HV and LV switchgear, protection relays, metering, earthing materials, LV cables, and distribution hardware.
- 33 kV pole erection — Transmission poles erected along the approved OHL extension route at correct spacing, planting depth, and alignment, with cross-arms and insulator assemblies fitted ready for conductor stringing.
- 33 kV conductor stringing & tensioning — ACSR or equivalent 33 kV conductors strung across the full OHL extension, tensioned to specification to maintain correct sag and electrical clearances throughout the line.
- Substation civil works — Construction of the transformer plinth, oil containment bund, cable trenching, substation fencing, and all civil infrastructure required for the 33/0.4 kV substation at Batonkunku.
- Transformer installation & connection — The 250 kVA transformer was installed on its plinth, HV cable terminations made, LV busbar and cable connections completed, conservator and cooling arrangements confirmed, and transformer earthing installed.
- HV switchgear & protection installation — 33 kV switching equipment, fuses or circuit breakers, and overcurrent and earth fault protection installed to control and protect the incoming 33 kV supply to the substation.
- LV distribution board & network build-out — Main LV distribution board installed at the substation, with feeder circuits extended across the West Africa Peache facility as overhead or cable LV feeders to all distribution and consumer connection points.
- Earthing & surge protection — Substation earth electrode network, transformer neutral earthing, LV system earthing, and line surge arresters installed in accordance with earthing design requirements.
- Testing, commissioning & energisation — Pre-energisation electrical tests carried out on all systems. Staged energisation of the 33 kV OHL, substation transformer, and LV network completed safely. Full system commissioned and formally handed over to West Africa Peache.
Key installation activities
33 kV OHL extension
Overhead line extended from the national grid to the Batonkunku substation site with poles, conductors, and all fittings.
250 kVA transformer
Step-down transformer installed, connected, earthed, and commissioned at the purpose-built substation structure.
HV switchgear & protection
33 kV switching and protection equipment installed for safe isolation and fault clearance on the incoming supply.
LV distribution board
Main LV board installed at the substation as the distribution hub for the full low-voltage network.
LV network
Full LV feeder network built out from the substation to all consumer and distribution points across the facility.
Commissioning & handover
All systems tested, energised in stages, and formally handed over to West Africa Peache upon successful commissioning.
Project execution — phase by phase
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1
Contract award & mobilisation
Contract awarded by West Africa Peache in September 2018. Project team mobilised, material procurement commenced, and site access and utility authority coordination initiated for the Batonkunku site.
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2
Survey, design & approvals
Site survey completed at Batonkunku, 33 kV OHL route finalised, substation and LV network designed, and all required utility authority approvals obtained before physical works commenced on site.
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3
Civil & structural works
Substation civil works completed — transformer plinth, oil bund, cable trenches, fencing, and access constructed. Pole foundation holes excavated along the 33 kV OHL route.
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4
33 kV pole erection & stringing
Transmission poles erected and set along the full 33 kV OHL extension corridor, cross-arms and insulators fitted, and 33 kV conductors strung and tensioned to design specification.
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5
Substation equipment installation
250 kVA transformer installed on its plinth, HV switchgear and protection erected, LV distribution board mounted, and all internal substation cabling, connections, and earthing completed.
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6
LV network installation
Low voltage feeders and distribution lines installed from the substation LV board to all load points and consumer positions across the West Africa Peache premises at Batonkunku.
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7
Testing, energisation & handover
Full pre-energisation electrical testing completed across all systems. 33 kV OHL, substation, and LV network energised in controlled stages. System commissioned and formally handed over to West Africa Peache upon client satisfaction.
Project at a glance
About the client & location
West Africa Peache is a commercial enterprise operating at Batonkunku in The Gambia. With no adequately rated LV supply available at the site, a dedicated 33 kV connection with its own purpose-built step-down substation was the appropriate and necessary solution to meet the company’s power requirements. Batonkunku’s position within the national grid’s 33 kV network area meant that Kutehjumble’s work here — extending the 33 kV line, constructing the substation, and building out the LV network — delivered a complete, self-contained power infrastructure that gives West Africa Peache full control and reliability of supply for its ongoing operations.
