ABB Wins $52 Million Power Order in Brazil


Power transformers to help interconnect and strengthen transmission grid

Zurich, Switzerland, June 17, 2009 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has secured a $52 million order from Spanish technology company Abengoa to supply transformers and shunt reactors for projects to interconnect the grids in Brazil's northern and southern regions.

ABB's equipment will serve three projects under construction for Manaus Transmissora de Energia, one of Brazil's leading energy transmission companies:

o a 374-kilometer extension of the 500 kilovolt Oriximina-Itacoatiara transmission line in the states of Para and Amazonas

o a 212-km extension of the Itacoatiara-Cariri 500 kV transmission line in the state of Amazonas, which includes the 500/230 kV Cariri substation

o an expansion of the 500 kV Ribeiro Goncalves-Balsas transmission system and the 230 kV Balsas substation in the northeastern states of Piaui and Maranhao

The installations are located in challenging terrains, such as forests, accentuating the need for highly reliable equipment with minimal service needs.

"These interconnections will facilitate power transfers across Brazil's regions and augment the transmission network," said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB's Power Products division. "We are pleased to be able to contribute to the strengthening of the country's power infrastructure."

Abengoa applies innovative solutions for sustainable development in the infrastructure, environment and energy sectors, and has an extensive presence in Latin America.

Transformers are integral components of any electrical grid, and are a critical element in the efficient and safe conversion of electricity across diverse voltage systems. ABB's transformer portfolio includes power transformers rated up to 1,000 kV, dry and liquid distribution transformers, as well as related services and components. Shunt reactors are power quality devices that control line voltage by absorbing reactive power.

ABB (www.abb.com) 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 120,000 people.

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