ABB wins $38 million power orders to boost electricity supply in southern India

Power plant and substation solutions to facilitate energy efficiency and grid reliability.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won orders worth around $38 million for a new 1,320 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant, which is under construction in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The orders were placed by NCC Ltd, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the plant and a leading Indian construction and infrastructure company and were booked in the second quarter.

ABB is responsible for the design, engineering, installation and commissioning of the electrical balance of plant (EBoP) as well as a 400-kilovolt (kV) gas insulated switchgear (GIS) substation, scheduled for completion in 2014.

India has an installed power generation capacity of over 210,000 MW, of which approximately 57 per cent is based on coal. According to estimates of the International Energy Agency (IEA), national energy demand is projected to more than double over the next 25 years. Oil and coal are expected to maintain their shares in the primary energy mix and India is expected to displace the United States as the world’s second-largest coal consumer by 2025. Over 60 per cent of the rise in energy demand comes from the power sector, reflecting the enormous demand for electricity in India.

“ABB has a long-standing presence and a well-established track record in India and we are pleased to contribute further to the development of the country’s power infrastructure,” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “Our extensive local manufacturing footprint and resource capability enable us to bring best-in-class technologies to our customers and to serve the electricity needs of this growing economy and its vibrant population.”

The EBoP solution comprises a range of ABB power products, which have been integrated into an optimized system to suit operational requirements. Some of the major product supplies include generator circuit breakers, medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers and protection equipment. Based on a proven fast delivery concept, the solution reduces overall project costs and mitigates risk. The GIS substation ensures a compact footprint and deploys state-of-the-art ABB technology to ensure safe and reliable power transmission.

The Nellore plant will be a ‘super-critical’ thermal power plant, which is considered more efficient than conventional coal-fired power plants as they generate more energy, consume less coal and produce fewer emissions than traditional sub-critical technologies. ABB recently delivered a similar EBoP solution for a new 1,600 MW super-critical power plant owned by the Andhra Pradesh state utility, APPDCL, which is located close to Nellore in Krishnapatnam.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

Source of Article and Image:www.abb.com