Underground cables and substation ordered for modernization of Abu Dhabi power infrastructure
Zurich, Switzerland, July 23, 2003 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced today that it has won two contracts worth a total of US$ 49 million from Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) for an underground cable system and the replacement of an existing substation.
The orders result from ADWEA's program to modernize and further develop the emirate's transmission and distribution network in Abu Dhabi, which has been liberalized to include privately owned electricity and water suppliers.
"These capacity improvements will help ADWEA meet the increasing demands placed on the transmission system in Abu Dhabi," said Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division. "ABB can rapidly complete these projects by leveraging our local know-how and industry-leading technology."
Under the terms of the first award, worth about US$ 31 million, ABB will design, manufacture and install 85 kilometers of 132-kV-underground cable and accessories on the island of Abu Dhabi. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2005, and will expand the physical capacity and improve the stability of Abu Dhabi's transmission system.
The second award, worth about US$ 18 million, is to design, manufacture and install a new 132/11-kV-substation. The substation will replace an existing facility and employ advanced gas insulated switchgear (GIS) to provide high efficiency and reliability to the grid. In addition to 132-kV and 11- kV GIS, ABB will supply transformers and auxiliary equipment, and carry out balance-of-plant work. The substation is scheduled for completion within 24 months.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering their environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.