Radisson Dakar is an oceanfront hotel in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Devpan supplied the main distribution, motor control, power factor correction and lighting panels for the project.
Electrical Profile of the Project
- LocationDakar, Senegal
- Building typeHotel and hospitality
- Installed power≈ 3,200 kVA
- Transformer configuration2 × 1,600 kVA
- Main busbar rated current2 × 2,500 A
- Short-time withstand current (Icw)65 kA / 1 s
- Devpan scopeLow voltage switchboards, engineering and site coordination
- Verification standardIEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2
About the Project
An oceanfront hotel faces two persistent threats to its electrical system: salt-laden humid air and voltage disturbances on the utility network. In a coastal city such as Dakar, chillers, air handling units and pumps run at high load throughout the year, and even a short outage affects guest rooms, kitchens and cold stores at once. The distribution system therefore has to withstand a corrosive environment while reacting quickly and predictably to grid events.
For a hotel of this scale, a typical arrangement is a 30 kV medium-voltage supply feeding approximately 2 × 1,600 kVA transformers and a two-section, bus-coupled 2 × 2,500 A main switchboard. If one transformer is lost, essential loads continue to be supplied from the other section, while a generator of around 1,000 kVA takes over life-safety and priority loads through automatic transfer. Form 3b to Form 4a internal separation lets neighbouring functional units stay live during maintenance.
Devpan Scope and Switchboard Architecture
Devpan’s scope runs from the low-voltage main distribution downstream of the MV supply to the guest floors and mechanical services.
- Main distribution boards (DevPanel): typically 2 × 2,500 A, 65 kA / 1 s, two sections with bus coupler and generator transfer.
- Motor control centres (DevControl): MCCs with drives and starters for chillers, AHUs and pumps.
- Sub-distribution boards (DevBox): floor, kitchen, laundry and common-area boards rated IP31 – IP41.
- Power factor correction (DevComp): detuned, stepped reactive power compensation for the heavy motor load.
- Lighting and power panels (DevPower): scene-controlled supply for lobby, restaurants, façade and landscape lighting.
Technical Configuration
| Installed power | ≈ 3,200 kVA |
|---|---|
| Transformer configuration | 2 × 1,600 kVA |
| Medium voltage level | 30 kV |
| Low voltage / frequency | 400 / 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Main busbar rated current | 2 × 2,500 A |
| Short-time withstand current (Icw) | 65 kA / 1 s |
| Form of internal separation | Form 3b – Form 4a |
| Degree of protection (IP) | IP31 – IP41 |
| Generator back-up | 1 × 1,000 kVA |
| Verification standard | IEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2 |
Devpan Products Used in This Project
Project-Specific Engineering Topics
Coastal climate resilience
Paint system, plated copper busbars and ventilation are specified together for salty, humid air, with air-conditioned switchrooms preferred.
Bus-coupled double busbar
Each transformer feeds its own busbar section; during a fault or maintenance the coupler allows the hotel to run from a single transformer.
Generator load priority
On generator operation, lifts, fire systems and cold rooms are restored first, followed by comfort loads in controlled steps.
Harmonic management
Variable-speed pump and fan drives generate harmonics, so detuning reactors in the capacitor banks reduce the risk of resonance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the installed power for a hotel of the scale of Radisson Dakar?
For a hotel of this scale the installed power is approximately 3,200 kVA, with a typical transformer configuration of 2 × 1,600 kVA. The main busbar is typically 2 × 2,500 A with a short-time withstand of 65 kA / 1 s, supplied at 30 kV and backed by a generator of around 1,000 kVA.
Why is Form 3b to Form 4a separation used in hotel switchboards?
Hotels operate around the clock and a full shutdown is rarely possible. Internal separation allows one outgoing circuit to be serviced while the other functional units remain energised and safe.
How is switchboard life protected in a coastal environment?
Air-conditioned switchrooms, a suitable IP rating, corrosion-resistant finishes and periodic thermographic inspections greatly reduce the effect of salt air on connections.
Similar Reference Projects
Murjana RixosHotel and hospitality · Saudi Arabia
Rixos Hotels, DubaiHotel and hospitality · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Concorde HotelHotel and hospitality · Do you have a project of a similar scale?
Send us your single-line diagram, your transformer rating or simply your load list. Our engineering team runs the short-circuit and discrimination study and defines the form of separation and busbar cross-section with you.
Request a quotation