A total of five generating sets from Cummins Power Generation are providing 3.65 MVA standby power at the City Centre Shopping Plaza in Doha, which is believed to be the largest facility of its kind in the region.

The sets installed are two 1,000 kVA units each powered by a Cummins QST30G4 12-cylinder engine, two 625 kVA sets equipped with Cummins VTA28G5 12-cylinder engines and one 400 kVA set with a Cummins KTA19G3 six-cylinder engine.

All the generating sets operate at 50 hz, 415 V which is standard in Qatar, and all are equipped with the Cummins power command system.

Each set - individually housed within the centre's car-parking ground floor level and equipped with critical silencers on their exhausts - is connected to MV panels and will start-up whenever their specific MV panel loses its utility power supply.

The two 1,000 kVA units have loads of 800 kVA and will power in the event of a mains failure all electrical functions for the ground, first and second levels. The two 625 kVA units and the one 400 kVA unit have loads of 499 kVA and 335 KVA respectively, are safeguarding the third and fourth levels of the plaza.

The project represents the largest single order in Qatar for Cummins Power Generation's local dealer Jaidah Motors and Trading Company.

Inaugurated last April in Doha's West Bay, close to the city's Diplomatic Zone, the massive five-level, 500-m-long mall has more than 350 retail outlets.

There are also two ice-skating rinks, a water park for children, a 10-screen multiplex cinema, a 3,000 sq m fine dining restaurant, 10 cafes and restaurants, food courts to seat 650 people, a banqueting hall and exhibition hall as well as car parking for over 2,000 vehicles.

The City Centre has parking on both ground floor and first floor levels, with the former having 1,500 car spaces. Also located on the ground level are Qatar's first ice-rink, an 800 sq m mosque, some small retail outlets and a hotel booking outlet.

Qatar's first hypermarket, the Carrefour store is located on level one. Other attractions include a 700 sq m bookstore, three cafes and a bank.

The second level fashion floor features such major retailers as Debenhams, Highland and Shoe Mart. Level Three has been dubbed the family entertainment floor offering a varied range of attractions and activities for people of all ages.

Also on Level Three, the 10-screen multiplex cinema is operated by an international film company in agreement with the Qatar Film Distribution Company. The entertainment area also houses a number of fast-food outlets and fashion and games outlets.

The fourth and uppermost level of the City Centre offers 15,000 sq m of exhibition space and conference facilities. A huge ballroom has already become popular for weddings, with its spectacular views of Doha.

The entire complex was originally conceived in 1997 and took two years to build. The project's main contractor was locally-based Gettco Contracting, a subsidiary of the Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani and Sons Holding Company. The complex is built on land measuring 118,000 sq m with the total floor area consisting of 286,000 sq m.

The City Centre only represents the first phase of this planned development. The second phase will consist of an office tower of 17 storeys, a 30-storey multi-purpose tower, an apartment block with 18 floors, a seven-level car-park and a 16-floor hotel.

The third and final phase will include four residential complexes, two 18-storey and 22-storey towers. Once all these phases are completed a new dedicated power station has been mooted.