ABB solutions light up skyline of Sri Lanka’s commercial capital

2019-12-3 ABB Group Press Release

ABB secured a large contract to supply and commission the emergency lighting and central battery system for the award-winning Altair Skyscraper, developed by the Indocean Developers (Pvt) Ltd, in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo.

The development project has created a high-end luxurious 68-floor vertical tower, and 63-floor leaning tower. With building works completed in May 2019, Altair Skyscraper is now one of the tallest buildings to light up Colombo’s skyline with its modern architectural view. The significance of its architecture has won many prestigious awards and accolades.

Thanks to close work with the relevant stakeholders including the client, consultant and main contractor, ABB kept the lights on as the new Altair Skyscraper came to life. ABB landed orders for ITS Emergi-Lite lighting systems, dry-type transformers, medium-voltage switchgear and components for low-voltage switchgear.

“ABB is proud to contribute to this major development project that is transforming the commercial district in Colombo,” said Abhijit Dey, Country Managing Director Sri Lanka. “Our global experience in commercial and residential buildings allows us to provide safe and reliable electrical services and lighting to these projects. We look forward to contributing significantly to these and similar projects as the commercial industry in Sri Lanka forges ahead towards new technology and autonomous operations. ABB’s electric and digital initiatives are redefining the future of industry and cities, achieving new levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability.”

Emergency lighting is crucial to the safety of any commercial or residential building. Without an autonomous emergency backup lighting system in place, even a brief power outage could plunge the complete tower into total darkness.

The Emergi-Lite lighting system for the Altair Skyscraper is powered by EMEX Power central battery cabinets. The order includes two EMEX Power 10.5KVA cabinets, and two EMEX Power 7.5KVA cabinets, both of which benefit from 3-hour battery backup.

The ABB Sri Lanka service team successfully commissioned the central battery system, bringing important benefits such as testing and ongoing maintenance to the customer.

ABB also supplied dry-type transformers, medium-voltage switchgear and components for low-voltage switchgear. ABB delivered four panels of LeanGear ZN1, which proved the perfect fit with the customer’s requirements for a safe and reliable medium-voltage switchgear solution that is easy to extend as requirements grow. The delivered transformers meet strict parameters with respect to electrical system demands and functioning in areas with extreme climatic conditions in cities like Colombo.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB has four customer-​​focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by the ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB’s Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com