ABB wins orders of $30 million for steel complex in Algeria

2015-9-25

 Orders reflect ABB’s focus on Africa, in line with the Next Level strategy

Zurich, Switzerland, September 21, 2015 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won orders worth around $30 million for the construction of a new 400-kilovolt (kV) substation to power a new steel complex in Algeria’s north-eastern Jijel province. The new transmission and distribution substation will connect the complex to the national grid to ensure a reliable power supply.

The Bellara Steel Complex, owned and operated by Algerian-Qatari-Steel (AQS), will help to reduce the country’s dependence on steel imports, currently estimated at about three million tons annually. Once the first phase is complete, the plant will be able to produce approximately two million tons of steel reinforcement bars and wiring rods a year to meet local demand.

“ABB technologies and our system integration capabilities will enhance the quality and reliability of power supply at this steel complex, helping to boost production while reducing power consumption and losses,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division. “This project is another example of our success in penetrating growing markets and our focus on Africa, in line with our Next Level strategy.”

ABB’s project scope includes the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the air-insulated switchgear (AIS) substation. Key product supplies include high- and medium-voltage switchgear, power transformers and a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system.

ABB will also supply IEC 61850-compliant automation, control, protection and telecommunication systems to facilitate local and remote monitoring and control of the substation assets. This is another example of ABB technologies enabling the Internet of Things, Services and People.

ABB will also supply and commission two static var compensators (SVCs), which will minimize disturbances and losses in the grid caused by the plant’s electrical steel-melting arc furnaces. The SVCs enable higher furnace power to shorten melting time and can increase production by up to 20 percent by increasing and stabilizing the voltage, while reducing power consumption and losses.