Zurich, Switzerland, May 13, 2008 – ABB won a contract worth $170 million from Svenska Kraftnät and Fingrid Oyj, the transmission system operators in Sweden and Finland. ABB will supply two HVDC (high-voltage, direct current) converter stations for the Fenno-Skan 2 power link. The converter stations will be part of an 800-MW (megawatt) extension of the existing 550-MW Fenno-Skan 1 link, delivered by ABB in 1989. ABB will use its state-of-the-art HVDC technology and equipment.
“ABB’s HVDC technology will further strengthen the Nordic power grid, enhancing the capacity for power trading and improving the security of supply in the region,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.The contract is part of a larger scheme that includes a 400-kV AC (alternating current) substation in Finnböle, a 70- km DC overhead line in Sweden and a 200-km submarine cable. For the Fenno-Skan 2 project, ABB will be responsible for system engineering, including design, supply and installation of the two HVDC converter stations. The system is scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2011.ABB pioneered HVDC technology more than 50 years ago when the company built the world’s first commercial HVDC transmission link in Sweden.
ABB remains the world leader in HVDC transmission technology, with over 60 HVDC projects improving the transmission capacity of utilities around the world by more than 48,000 MW.ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs more than 110,000 people.