Schneider Electric scoops AU$189 million contract

Schneider Electric has entered into an agreement with Bechtel for the supply of an electrical control and distribution network solution, designed to run and monitor critical equipment, for the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project in Western Australia. The contract value is estimated at AU$189 million.

The contract, one of the largest ever undertaken by Schneider Electric, will see the majority of the work completed in Australia and will support over 230 Australian jobs, with around 143 located in Perth. Over 80% of the Schneider Electric employees appointed to work on the project will be part of the ongoing project management role.

Stephen Coop, Managing Director, Schneider Electric Pacific Zone, said, “Schneider Electric’s Wheatstone Project contract win is the culmination of many years working in the Australian market. We bring to this project a combination of global and local expertise that helps power the oil and gas industry.

“As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric will supply the Wheatstone Project with 13 prefabricated, customised and integrated ‘plug-and-play’ substations. Prefabricated substations are a vital element to projects such as Wheatstone due to the growing complexity and operational requirements of oil and gas extraction projects. The substations are custom built off-site to meet the needs of our customers and delivered to any location, no matter how remote.”

The substation design will take place in Brisbane, with construction, final integration and testing being carried out in Perth. The largest substation planned for delivery as a single piece will be in excess of 70 metres long by 28 metres wide, weighing around 590 tonnes.

The prefabricated substations will feature leading Schneider Electric products including medium-voltage switchgear, UPS (Gutor) and low-voltage components. All technology has been designed and engineered to comply with Australian Standards, hazardous area standards and the Building Code of Australia. The 13 prefabricated substations, totalling around 9000 square metres, will each be equipped with a HVAC system, MV and LV control panels, VESDA fire protection, 230 V A UPS, DC batteries and UPSs, and hazard area-related battery rooms. Additionally, a total of seven MV and 45 LV switchboards and a power management system will be implemented across the entire site.