ABB wins Algerian power contract

Power and automation technology group ABB has won three contracts worth $70m in total to supply power products and systems that will help Algeria meet rising demand for electricity.

The contracts, booked in the third quarter, are scheduled for completion in 15 months. They are the latest in a series of orders ABB has received from Société Nationale d'Electricité et du Gaz (Sonelgaz), the state-owned electricity and gas utility, designed to strengthen and increase Algeria’s electrical supplies.

ABB has announced orders from Algeria this month worth about $500m, including two major contracts from oil and gas company Sonatrach. It is also won $210m for compressors and power systems to increase production at the Hassi R'Mel natural gas fields, and $215m to supply pumping stations and automation systems for a 665km oil pipeline.

The work for Sonelgaz includes replacing transformers with a capacity of 60 to 80 Megavolt amperes (MVA) with 120 MVA transformers.

To meet power demands immediately, Sonelgaz also ordered two mobile substations rated 220 kilovolts (kV) and 60 kilovolts (kV) for installation in critical areas until fixed substations are completed.

The third contract involves the design, manufacture, testing, erection and commissioning of 60 kV gas-insulated switchgear, transformers and associated equipment. The ABB equipment will be made at factories in Spain, Italy and Germany.