Project overview
On 25 January 2018, Kutehjumble entered into a contract with Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company at Tanji to carry out the supply and full installation of a 33 kV Overhead Line (OHL) extension, a 33/0.4 kV, 500 kVA distribution substation, and a Low Voltage (LV) network to distribute power across the facility. This was a major industrial electrical infrastructure project — one of the most technically demanding in Kutehjumble’s portfolio — requiring the extension of high-voltage overhead lines, the construction of a complete step-down substation, and the build-out of a new low-voltage distribution network to serve the fisheries company’s significant operational power demands at Tanji.
Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company required a dedicated, high-capacity power supply capable of sustaining the energy-intensive demands of an industrial fisheries operation. Kutehjumble delivered a complete, integrated solution — from the 33 kV overhead line extension through to the final low-voltage distribution network — powering the entire facility from a single purpose-built substation.
What was supplied and installed
33 kV OHL extension
High voltage overhead line
A 33 kV overhead line extension was designed, supplied, and constructed to bring high-voltage power from the existing national grid to the Sanyang Fisheries site at Tanji. This involved erection of steel or concrete transmission poles, stringing of 33 kV conductors, and installation of all associated hardware, insulators, and earthing to form a safe, high-voltage supply route to the new substation.
33/0.4 kV 500 kVA substation
Distribution substation
A 500 kVA, 33/0.4 kV step-down distribution substation was constructed to receive the incoming 33 kV supply and transform it to 400 V (0.4 kV) for distribution across the facility. The substation comprised the transformer, HV switchgear, LV distribution board, earthing systems, protection relays, metering, and a secure substation enclosure — all supplied and installed by Kutehjumble.
LV network
Low voltage distribution network
A complete Low Voltage distribution network was built out from the substation LV board to distribute 400 V power to all load points across the Sanyang Fisheries facility. The LV network included overhead or underground feeder cables, distribution pillars, sub-distribution boards, protective devices, and consumer connection points sized to meet the facility’s industrial load requirements.
Why 500 kVA at 33/0.4 kV?
Industrial fisheries operations — including refrigeration, processing machinery, cold storage, water pumping, and site lighting — carry substantial and sustained electrical loads. A 500 kVA transformer provides significant power capacity to meet these demands reliably. The 33 kV primary voltage reflects the voltage level of the national transmission line serving the Tanji area, requiring a dedicated 33/0.4 kV step-down substation rather than a standard distribution-voltage connection — making this a high-specification industrial power project.
Scope of work
- Engineering design & planning — Preparation of the electrical design for the 33 kV OHL extension route, substation layout, transformer sizing, LV network topology, and protection coordination scheme — all engineered to national utility standards.
- Site survey & route selection — Detailed survey of the Tanji site and surrounding area to determine the 33 kV line route, substation location, and LV distribution paths, taking account of site layout, load centres, and infrastructure clearances.
- Supply of materials & equipment — Procurement and delivery of all required equipment including 33 kV poles, conductors, insulators, fittings, the 500 kVA power transformer, HV and LV switchgear, protection devices, cables, and LV distribution hardware.
- 33 kV pole erection — Erection of transmission-grade poles along the approved 33 kV OHL extension route, including foundation preparation, pole planting, and cross-arm fitting.
- 33 kV conductor stringing — Stringing of 33 kV conductors on the new poles, tensioned to specification, with ACSR or equivalent conductor and all hardware fitted to maintain safe electrical clearances throughout.
- Substation civil & structural works — Construction of the substation enclosure, transformer plinth, oil containment bund, cable trenches, and access arrangements at the Tanji site.
- Transformer installation — Installation and connection of the 500 kVA, 33/0.4 kV transformer, including HV terminations, LV busbar connections, conservator and cooling arrangements, and transformer earthing.
- HV switchgear & protection — Installation of 33 kV switchgear, fuses or circuit breakers, and protection relays at the substation to provide safe isolation and fault protection for the incoming 33 kV supply.
- LV distribution board & network — Installation of the main LV distribution board at the substation, and build-out of the complete LV network across the Sanyang Fisheries facility, including feeders, distribution pillars, and all consumer connection points.
- Earthing & lightning protection — Installation of comprehensive earth electrode systems at the substation and across the LV network, together with lightning protection for the 33 kV OHL and substation equipment.
- Testing, commissioning & energisation — Full pre-energisation testing of the 33 kV line, transformer, switchgear, and LV network, followed by staged energisation and commissioning of the complete system, with formal handover to Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company.
Installation activities at a glance
33 kV OHL extension
High-voltage overhead line constructed from the national grid connection point to the Tanji substation site.
500 kVA transformer
Industrial-grade step-down transformer installed, connected, and commissioned at the purpose-built substation.
HV switchgear
33 kV switching and protection equipment installed for safe isolation and fault clearance on the HV side.
LV distribution board
Main LV board installed at the substation as the hub of the low-voltage distribution network.
LV network build-out
Full LV distribution network extended from the substation to all load points across the fisheries facility.
Earthing & protection
Comprehensive substation earthing, surge protection, and lightning protection systems installed throughout.
Project execution — phase by phase
-
1
Contract award & mobilisation
Contract signed with Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company on 25 January 2018. Project team mobilised, materials procurement initiated, and site access arrangements confirmed at Tanji.
-
2
Survey, design & approvals
Detailed site survey completed, 33 kV OHL route finalised, substation design prepared, and all necessary utility authority approvals obtained before physical works commenced.
-
3
Civil & structural works
Substation civil works completed including transformer plinth, bund, cable trenching, and fencing. Transmission pole foundations excavated and poured along the 33 kV OHL route.
-
4
33 kV OHL pole erection & stringing
Poles erected along the full 33 kV extension route, cross-arms and insulators fitted, and 33 kV conductors strung and tensioned to specification throughout.
-
5
Substation equipment installation
500 kVA transformer installed on plinth, HV switchgear erected, LV distribution board mounted, and all cabling, busbar, and protection systems connected within the substation enclosure.
-
6
LV network installation
Low voltage feeder cables and overhead lines installed from the substation LV board to all distribution points and consumer load centres across the Sanyang Fisheries facility.
-
7
Testing, energisation & handover
All systems subjected to pre-energisation electrical testing. The 33 kV OHL, substation, and LV network were energised in stages under controlled conditions. Formal handover of the fully commissioned installation to Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company.
Project at a glance
About the client
Sanyang Fisheries Industrial Company, operating at Tanji on The Gambia’s Atlantic coastline, is an industrial fisheries enterprise whose operations — spanning fish processing, cold storage, refrigeration, and production machinery — demand a substantial, reliable, and dedicated electricity supply. The 500 kVA substation and 33 kV OHL extension delivered by Kutehjumble provides the company with the high-capacity, purpose-built power infrastructure required to sustain and scale its industrial operations at Tanji. This project stands as one of Kutehjumble’s largest and most technically sophisticated electrical infrastructure engagements to date.
