ABB Scores as India Strengthens Power Grid Infrastructure

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--ABB Limited (NYSE:ABB) (Zurich, Switzerland) continues to build its domestic Indian network of equipment manufacturing facilities and project support. The company has just announced an investment of $50 million to build a new plant in the state of Gujarat to manufacture high-voltage products and transformers. Local manufacturing is a strategy being pursued by many multi-nationals in India to be nearer to the customer in a competitive business climate.

The facilities are expected to be operational by the end of 2012 and will manufacture high-voltage, gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and plug and switch system (PASS) hybrid switchgear, as well as dry-type and oil-immersed distribution transformers.

Claiming pioneer status in the development of GIS technology, ABB's latest series offers savings of up to 90% compared to conventional air-insulated switchgear. Low weight and a robust design enable the equipment to be deployed even in harsh conditions and enhances system reliability, improves efficiency and minimizes maintenance needs. The factory-assembled solution is easily integrated into existing substations, enabling bay extensions with minimum downtime.

The new factory will help bridge a gap in the current product range in India and will extend the distribution transformer range up to 10 megavolt amperes/33 kilovolts (kV).

ABB has also commissioned three 765-kV substations for Powergrid Corporation of India (PGCIL) in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The projects support PGCIL's plans to build a strong national grid this year. The company plans to take the current national inter-regional power flow capacity of 27,950 megawatts (MW) up to 80,000 MW through four main regional transmission grids. An extensive 800-kV extra high voltage network will be the backbone of the network.

ABB undertook the substation project on a turnkey basis with end-to-end equipment supply and project management. The overall project scope comprised the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, erection and commissioning of the 765-kV and 400-kV switchyards, including civil works.

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