Transforming Dublin Airport

Dawn Move Successful

Two large high-voltage transformers were successfully lifted into place at Dublin Airport's new Dardistown electricity substation site early this morning.

At about 6am, the two transformers, which were purchased from ABB Ireland, were delivered to the site for the new electricity substation, which is located close to the ALSAA complex on the R132. Each transformer weighs about 45 tonnes and was lifted into place by a 500 tonne mobile crane. The complex operation was successfully completed by 9am.

The transformers were constructed in Italy and fully tested prior to being shipped overland and by ferry to Dublin. The transformers, which were installed in the DAA control building at the site, took more than a year to build and test. The new electricity substation is an important element of the DAA's €2 billion Transforming Dublin Airport investment programme as it will increase the amount of power available to the airport campus.

At present, Dublin Airport takes electricity from the ESB via a system that delivers enough power for the equivalent of about 10,000 homes. The new system will give the DAA enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 30,000 homes.

May 7, 2008