ABB bags $150 million orders from Saudi Electricity Co

A substation from ABB
A substation from ABB

ABB has bagged orders worth around $150 million from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to expand five existing substations.

The orders will assist Saudi Arabia that aims to expand power generation capacity by 50 percent to accommodate a growing economy.

SEC is increasing the capacity of the substations, with three located in the central region and one each in the eastern and western regions. The orders were booked in the second quarter of 2015, said ABB in a statement.

Saudi Arabia is increasing its power generation capacity from less than 60 gigawatts (GW) to about 91 GW by 2020, and to more than double existing capacity over the longer term.

ABB is supporting these efforts through several projects across the country, including an additional $60 million order booked in the second quarter from SEC for 65 power transformers.

Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division, said: “These substations will strengthen the grid and enhance transmission capacity, enabling electricity to reach more consumers and support this growing market, in line with our Next Level strategy.”

ABB said that the extension orders include design, supply, installation and commissioning of new switchgear bays at five existing transmission substations as well as modification of associated automation, control, protection and auxiliary power supply systems and connected transmission substations.

[email protected]