LIGHTING FOR 12 ELECTRIC SUBSTATIONS IN WEST AFRICA
Location
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia
ROBLAN has contributed to the lighting of 12 electrical substations located in various cities across West Africa. The project, led by the Spanish company Elecnor, is part of a strategic plan aimed at improving the electrical infrastructure and promoting energy interconnection among different countries in the region.
The projects were carried out in towns such as Bissau, Bambadinca, Mansoa, Boke, Labe, Brikama, Soma, and Pokuase, contributing to the development of essential infrastructure for the economic and social growth of these regions.
Project Description
This major infrastructure project, valued at more than 80 million euros and financed by international organizations such as the World Bank (WB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), posed a major technical challenge for all the teams involved.
At ROBLAN, the Projects Department was responsible for the lighting design of the twelve substations, developing solutions tailored to the strict requirements established for each facility. Among the main challenges was the need to achieve lighting levels higher than those required by European regulations, while ensuring maximum energy efficiency, safety, and operational reliability.
Thanks to the joint effort between ROBLAN, Elecnor, and Almacenes Eléctricos Madrileños (AUNA Group), it was possible to coordinate both the design and the international supply logistics, ensuring the successful execution of all phases of the project.
The consistency between the lighting studies conducted and the final result achieved on-site made it possible to achieve a high level of visual and functional quality in all installations, fully meeting the objectives defined from the outset.
Outdoor Lighting
The outdoor lighting at the substations was designed to provide high, uniform, and safe light levels, facilitating maintenance and operational tasks during nighttime hours.
To achieve this, more than a thousand lighting fixtures were installed, including LED floodlights, SATT GO streetlights, STRELA streetlights, and weatherproof LED displays, all of which feature high IK08 and IP66 protection ratings to ensure their operation in demanding environmental conditions.
The SATT GO and STRELA models were manufactured specifically for the project, incorporating custom optics designed to optimize light distribution and minimize light spill into the sky, thereby reducing light pollution. In addition, they feature programming systems that allow for the adjustment of light levels and maximize energy savings.
Interior Lighting
The interior lighting was designed to meet the specific needs of each room, ensuring adequate lighting levels for the various tasks performed within the facility.
Notable among the illuminated areas are:
control buildings Equipped with waterproof screens for LED tubes and glass LED tubes with shatter-resistant protection. More than 1,900 units were supplied for these spaces.
surveillance posts are illuminated by weatherproof screens equipped with glass LED tubes and shatter-resistant protection; more than 50 units have been installed.
operational facilities are equipped with PANEL PRO and VLPS LED panels, complemented by recessed mounting kits and ALL IN downlights with integrated drivers, facilitating both installation and maintenance. In total, nearly 200 products were supplied for these areas.
Studios and auxiliary spaces are equipped with ALL IN downlights and recessed VLPS panels, with more than 200 units installed.
Products Used
- MHLF Projectors
- SATT GO Vials (Custom-Made)
- SKY JX
- Glass LED tubes with shatter-resistant protection
- PANEL PRO
- VLPS
- ALL IN Downlights
- Flush-Mount Kits for LED Panels
Engineering / Architecture
- Elecnor
Distributor
- Almacenes Eléctricos Madrileños (AUNA Group)
Conclusion
The lighting installation at these twelve electrical substations in West Africa represents one of the most significant international projects undertaken by ROBLAN, both in terms of its technical scope and its social and strategic impact. The logistical complexity, demanding design requirements, and the need to ensure maximum reliability in critical environments put our teams’ capabilities to the test, demonstrating once again the value of experience and cross-departmental collaboration.
This project reflects ROBLAN’s commitment to innovation, quality, and energy efficiency, contributing to the modernization of infrastructure that is essential for millions of people. Participating in an initiative of this magnitude, aimed at improving the electrical interconnection of several African countries, has been an exciting challenge and a source of great satisfaction for the entire team.
