ABB in Barbados

has won an $18 million contract from

to upgrade the power network in the north of the island and help protect it from hurricane damage.

Barbados lies in a hurricane belt in the Caribbean, so underground cables can increase the reliability and safety of its power grid, as well as reduce the environmental impact of new installations on the 431-square kilometer island.

ABB will supply 132-kilovolt and 24-kilovolt underground power cables, as well as accessories, civil works and installation, for the Northern Underground Cable Expansion Project that was launched to upgrade the island's power grid and meet increasing demand for electricity in northern Barbados.

Cables and accessories from ABB production units in Sweden will begin the 8,000-kilometre journey to Barbados during the spring of 2006. Installation work will commence during the summer of 2006, and the project is scheduled for completion one year later.