Powering Aleppo's Recovery: ICC Energy Delivers the 400/230 kV Aleppo Transformation Substation

Aleppo Governorate, Syria

Project Story Completion

Powering Aleppo's Recovery

ICC Energy Delivers the 400/230 kV Aleppo Transformation Substation

ICC

ICC Energy DWC-LLC

Dubai South, UAE

In a landmark infrastructure achievement for Syria's electricity sector, ICC Energy DWC-LLC has successfully completed the design, supply, and construction of the 400/230 kV Transformation Substation in Aleppo Governorate — a project that strengthens one of the country's most critical points on the national power transmission network.

A Project Born of Necessity

The project was formally awarded to ICC Energy, a Dubai-based engineering and energy contractor, by Syria's Ministry of Electricity through its Public Establishment for Transmission and Distribution of Electricity. Following a competitive public tender (Tender No. 113/C) and a rigorous technical and financial evaluation process, the Ministry issued its official Award Letter on June 12, 2019, notifying ICC Energy that its bid had been selected as the most suitable both technically and financially.

The contract was signed and became effective on June 18, 2019, formally engaging ICC Energy under a full Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model — design, supply, and execution — for a project valued at 30,257,817,400 Syrian Pounds (approximately USD 58.76 million). The contract set a 24-month execution period from the date of the commencement order, placing the substation on a fast-tracked path toward completion despite the complex operating environment.

Scope: A Full Substation Rebuild

The 400/230 kV Aleppo Transformation Substation project was far more than an equipment upgrade — it was a comprehensive rebuild of a strategic node in Syria's transmission grid. Under the terms of the contract, ICC Energy assumed full responsibility for:

• Engineering and detailed design, including topographic surveys, geotechnical investigations, and executive drawings for the entire substation
• Supply and installation of high-voltage equipment rated at 400 kV, including Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) bays at both the 400 kV and 230 kV levels
• Replacement and installation of two 300 MVA power transformers stepping down 400/230 kV
• Implementation and modernization of protection, control, and monitoring systems, including a full SCADA system
• Cabling, grounding, and civil works, along with rehabilitation of existing substation buildings and infrastructure
• Testing, commissioning, and final energization of the substation into live service

As the EPC contractor, ICC Energy carried full accountability for the accuracy of its designs, the quality of construction, and the ultimate operational readiness of the facility — a scope that demanded close coordination across engineering, procurement, and field execution teams throughout the project lifecycle.

From Commencement to Handover

Work on site began on June 18, 2019, the official commencement date under the contract. Over the following two years, ICC Energy's teams executed the full scope of works — from detailed engineering through equipment procurement, installation, and system integration — culminating in the completion of construction on July 8, 2021.

After a rigorous program of factory and site acceptance testing, trial operation, and final commissioning, the substation was declared complete and officially energized into the national grid. The Ministry of Electricity issued its Project Completion Certificate (No. 18/2021) on September 8, 2021, formally certifying that ICC Energy had executed the project in full accordance with the contract, and recording the final handover date as September 1, 2021.

The certificate confirmed that all necessary tests had been successfully completed prior to handover, and that the substation was operating efficiently within the electrical grid — a formal seal on nearly two and a half years of design and construction work.

Restoring a Critical Link in Syria's Grid

The significance of the Aleppo 400/230 kV substation extends well beyond its technical specifications. As a high-voltage transformation point linking the 400 kV transmission backbone to the 230 kV distribution network serving Aleppo Governorate, the facility plays a direct role in the reliability and capacity of electricity supply to one of Syria's largest and most economically important regions.

Delivering a project of this scale and technical complexity — spanning high-voltage switchgear, power transformers, SCADA-based control systems, and civil rehabilitation — within a demanding operating context speaks to the depth of engineering and project management capability ICC Energy brought to the assignment. From contract award to final energization, the project stands as a demonstration of disciplined EPC delivery: technically compliant, fully tested, and handed over ready for long-term operation.

Looking Ahead

The successful completion and handover of the Aleppo Transformation Substation adds to ICC Energy's track record of delivering complex power infrastructure projects in challenging environments. As Syria continues to rebuild and reinforce its national grid, projects of this nature underscore the essential role that experienced EPC contractors play in restoring and modernizing critical energy infrastructure — one substation at a time.

Project Summary

Project

400/230 kV Transformation Substation

Location

Aleppo Governorate, Syria

Employer

Ministry of Electricity — SAR

Contractor

ICC Energy DWC-LLC

Contract Value

SYP 30,257,817,400

USD Equivalent

~USD 58.76 Million

Tender No.

113/C

Award Date

June 12, 2019

Effective Date

June 18, 2019

Construction Complete

July 8, 2021

Handover Date

September 1, 2021

Completion Certificate

No. 18/2021

Duration

24 Months

Transformers

2 × 300 MVA (400/230 kV)

Switchgear

AIS (Air Insulated)

Status

Completed & Energized

ICC Energy DWC-LLC — Powering Syria's Grid