Burlington, July 26, 2002 — A world leader in Distributed Control System (DCS) technology, ABB in Canada recently announced that it has been awarded a new contract by Windalco (West Indies Aluminum Company) for its operations located at Kirkvine, Jamaica. Windalco was formerly known as Alcan Jamaica.
Under the terms of the contract, valued at CAD$2 million, ABB will provide a complete DCS power system upgrade at the alumina plant, partitioning control of the facility’s four boilers to improve reliability and maximize availability. The boilers are used to process steam for the bauxite transformation process.
In addition, the contract calls for ABB to replace the plant’s current panel-based electrical system with a fully automated distribution system, including installation of new measurement devices, connection to existing electrical equipment and installation and configuration of a new operator control console. As part of this upgrade, ABB will also provide extensive on-site training and coordinate follow-up service locally.
According to Brian Loos, Engineering Manager for the Industries Division, ABB Burlington, “while we have a long-standing relationship with this customer, having done a similar upgrade at its sister facility, we are particularly excited about this contract because it involves full turnkey responsibility for equipment, engineering, installation, commissioning and start-up. The contract underlines the customer’s confidence in ABB’s leadership position and proven track record in automation technology.”
Delivery of the new equipment is slated for July 2002, with installation and commissioning to be completed by year-end.
WINDALCO is a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and Glencore Alumina Jamaica Limited. Glencore Alumina Jamaica Limited manages the joint venture, which includes Port Esquivel, bauxite mines in Schwallenburgh (Ewarton) and Russell Place (Kirkvine), and farms in Manchester and St. Ann.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impacts. The ABB Group of companies operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.
In Canada, (www.abb.ca) ABB employs 2,400 people in about 30 facilities from coast to coast.