The Board of Directors of the Water and Electricity Regulatory Authority approved the rules for standby sources of electric energy. Which aims to define the requirements that must be complied with by the facilities that must secure backup sources of electrical energy and define the responsibilities of the licensee for distribution.
The rules for reserve sources of electric energy (which Okaz reviewed) included definitions, terminology, and the scope of application. According to its needs in emergency cases when the electrical service is interrupted from the public network, provided that it includes the loads stipulated in the Saudi Building Code, and the loads are taken into account when selecting and determining the capacity and specifications of the backup source. The rules define emergencies as every accident that is outside the reasonable control of the licensee for transmission or the licensee for distribution, and results in an interruption in electricity for technical or other reasons.
The approved rules indicated the requirements for reserve sources of electric energy, as each facility must commit to securing the reserve source at its own expense, and the facility determines the type and capacity of the reserve source according to the necessary loads required for it during the period of interruption of electrical service from the public network, provided that the generation capacity of the reserve source is sufficient , in view of the quantities of fuel or energy held, to cover the entire necessary emergency load associated therewith for a period not less than the Minimum Necessary; In accordance with the terms of the Saudi Building Code, and it is also committed to examining, maintaining and operating the reserve source to ensure its validity when needed. Providing the amount of fuel needed to operate the reserve source, obtaining fuel allocation from the Ministry, and determining the appropriate location for fuel storage, while providing an automatic transfer switch between the reserve source and the feeding source from the public network, so that the reserve source provides alternative electrical energy automatically within a short period of time not exceeding The time periods stipulated in the Saudi Building Code.
The rules emphasized the provision of a continuous power supplier for the loads that require that, as determined by the facility, so that the supplier would provide the necessary electrical energy for these loads immediately after the interruption of electrical service from the public network. Taking precautions not to synchronize the operation of the backup source of electrical energy with the supply source from the public network. And not to use the reserve source except in cases of interruption of electrical service from the public network, while adhering to the provisions related to the use of fuel in accordance with the relevant regulations. And it stressed adherence to all the conditions stipulated by the Saudi Building Code with regard to the reserve sources of electric energy and the fulfillment of the requirements and environmental requirements in the reserve source issued by the competent authority. Periodic, including providing the necessary permits for him to enter the facilities, and providing the contact data for the concerned representative of the facility with the obligation to be present during the visit. Periodic backup maintenance
The rules of standby sources of electric power necessitated examining and maintaining the standby sources of electric power and taking all necessary measures for the continuity of the work of the standby source when needed, and verifying its readiness and operational efficiency, including the work of inspection, periodic maintenance and operational tests of the standby source, including all its components, according to an approved schedule according to Manufacturer's instructions and instructions, provided that they are in compliance with the terms of the Saudi Building Code in this regard. And the provision of a resident and qualified technical team for the examination, operation and maintenance of the backup sources, to deal with all the requirements of the backup source, including any breakdowns or emergency damages that may affect the backup source of electric power or any of its components.
According to the rules of reserve sources of electric power, the facility must maintain records of inspection, maintenance and operational tests for a period of not less than three years, which includes the date of service, the name of the maintenance technician, a summary of the written conditions, a detailed description of any conditions that require correction from the facility, and the corrective measures it has taken, Provided that it is available upon request from the licensee for distribution. The results of the periodic inspection
The rules for the reserve sources of electric energy indicated the periodic inspection program for the reserve sources according to the program approved by the authority, and to ensure the availability of the reserve source of electric energy, and the extent to which its capacity is suitable with the necessary loads determined by the facilities, including ensuring its work, validity and operational efficiency.
The rules indicated that the distribution licensee must prepare a database in which the establishments obligated to secure backup sources of electric power are recorded, the data and locations of these sources, and the results and reports of the periodic inspection that is conducted on them. The distribution licensee updates and verifies the database on an ongoing basis, provided that this database and related reports are made available to the Ministry and the Authority upon request.
And the ninth rule concluded that any violation of the provisions of these rules shall be applied to the provisions of Chapter Eight of the Electricity Law – Violations and Penalties – and the Authority may make any amendment or addition to this document – whenever required – or based on a request received by it, or according to the requirements of any applicable system or its implementing regulations or related regulations.
Adnan Shabrawi (Jeddah) @Adnanshabrawi