Largest-ever transformer banks in India will strengthen power network
Zurich, Switzerland, April 11, 2005 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a $41 million order in India for extra-high-voltage transformers and shunt reactors, which will strengthen the country’s power network and help meet the growing demand for electricity.
ABB is supplying the 765 kV auto-transformers and reactors to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) – the largest bank of transformers ever installed - in the country. ABB will supply ten 500 MVA, 765/400/33 kV auto-transformers and ten 80 MVA, 765 kV shunt reactors. The equipment will be ready for commissioning in 22 months.
“ABB is the world leader in manufacturing high-end 765 kV transformers. Our state-of-the-art technology and vast experience were key for the customer,” said Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division.
The transformers and reactors will be installed at Seoni substation in the central state of Madhya Pradesh in order to transmit power from the new 3,000 MW Sipat power plant being set up in the neighboring state of Chattisgarh. ABB received another, similar order valued at $38 million early in 2005 from the National Thermal Power Corporation for transformers for the Sipat plant.
India’s transmission system currently operates mainly at 400 kV levels. It is in the process of developing extra-high voltage capabilities at 765 kV, in order to strengthen the power network, increase grid reliability and help meet growing power demand.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 102,000 people.