Gas-insulated switchgear will help meet increased energy demand
Zurich, Switzerland, September 26, 2005 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a $49 million order to supply a turnkey indoor substation to help meet the increasing demand for energy on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
The contract for the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation was awarded by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) for the Palo Seco power plant.
This is the latest in series of contracts in the region designed to improve the reliability of power supply and meet rising demand,” said Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division. “ABB has a long history of supplying this proven technology to customers in Puerto Rico and other parts of the United States.
ABB said two of the main reasons for winning the contract were the reliability and safety of its equipment, and the compact size of its technology.
The project, scheduled for completion by spring 2008, includes the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the substation and associated equipment. The main component is a 115/38kV GIS transmission center. It will be the fourth GIS substation from ABB to be located in Puerto Rico, a Caribbean commonwealth associated with the United States.
GIS is part of ABB’s comprehensive portfolio of transmission and distribution products and solutions designed to enhance power grid reliability. ABB developed GIS in the 1960s and has completed some 15,000 GIS projects worldwide.
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 103,000 people.