ZURICH (July 2, 2014) – ABB has won an order worth $78 million from Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Saudi Arabia’s national power transmission and distribution operator. ABB will supply transformers for two new combined-cycle power plants that will boost transmission capacity around the capital, Riyadh, and surrounding areas of the Central Region. The order was booked in the second quarter of this year.
ABB will deliver generator step-up (GSU) transformers, power transformers and station service transformers for SEC’s combined-cycle power plants.
“These transformers will enable more electricity to reach consumers and meet growing industrial and household demand in the region,” said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB’s Power Products division. “We are pleased to continue supporting Saudi Arabia in the development of its power infrastructure.”
Saudi Arabia faces rising demand for electricity, driven by an increase in population and industrial growth led by petrochemicals. In response, the country plans to boost power-generation capacity by more than 50 percent from less than 60 gigawatts (GW) to approximately 91 GW by 2020. In the longer term, Saudi Arabia has the ambition to more than double the existing capacity.
Transformers are integral components of an electrical grid, and essential for the efficient and safe conversion of electricity between different voltage systems. ABB’s transformer portfolio includes power transformers rated up to 1,200 kV, dry- and liquid-distribution transformers, traction and special application transformers as well as related services and components.
ABB provides 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 150,000 people