ABB to build substation for Powergrid Corporation

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, which is strengthening its transmission grid across the country, has awarded a Rs330-crore order to ABB Ltd to provide turnkey substation solutions and a range of power products.

ABB will provide the design, supply, erection and also commission a new 400 / 220kV gas insulated substation (GIS) at Chamera in Himachal Pradesh. This project includes 400kV and 220 kV bays, power transformers, shunt reactors and the latest IEC 61850 based substation automation system, which will serve as the power-pooling substation for the Buddhil and Chamera III hydro power plant.

ABB says its GIS technology brings significant space saving, higher reliability and safety benefits. The 400kV and 220 kV GIS for this project, estimated to cost Rs70 core will be supplied by ABB Switzerland.

ABB will also support Power Grid's efforts to strengthen the western grid with new 400/220 kV substations to be set up in Pune and Solapur as well as extensions to the 400kV substations in Parli, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.

ABB's scope includes design and supply of the substation, 400/220 kV power transformers and instrument transformers, a range of circuit breakers as well as PLCC equipment. ABB will also provide control and protection systems, including the latest IEC 61850 compliant substation automation based on an open systems protocol. The projects are scheduled for completion in around 24 months and part of the orders were booked at the end of 2007.

"While India strives to add much needed power capacity, it is equally important to focus on utilizing our available resources more efficiently by minimizing T&D losses and maximizing energy savings" said Biplab Majumder, Managing Director, ABB India, commenting on the success.