Jinping-Sunan UHVDC link to enable integration and transmission of renewable energy

Zurich, Switzerland, April 13, 2011 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth about $120 million to engineer and supply key equipment for the Jinping-Sunan 800 kilovolt (kV) Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) power transmission project of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). The order was booked in the first quarter.

The system and key equipment will be designed in close cooperation with SGCC and local Chinese partners, and ABB will also supply key components for both converter stations, including converter valves, the control and protection system and DC yard equipment. As separately announced, ABB has also been selected to supply the 800 kilovolt (kV) UHVDC transformers for both converter stations.

The 2,090 km power link will transport clean hydropower from Sichuan province in central-western China to the highly industrialized coastal area in the eastern province of Jiangsu. The UHVDC link will have a rated capacity of 7,200 megawatts (MW), and is expected to be energized in 2013.

“The Jinping-Sunan project reflects the continued confidence of SGCC in ABB’s technologies and globally proven domain expertise in HVDC,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.”We have a long track record in China and are pleased to continue supporting the country in its efforts to strengthen the national power infrastructure and minimize environmental impact.”

UHVDC is a technological development of HVDC, pioneered by ABB more than 50 years ago, and is the biggest leap in transmission capacity and efficiency in more than two decades. Power transmission at ultrahigh voltage levels has considerable advantages for the environment as it enables more efficient use of renewable energy sources and reduces dependency on fossil fuels. It also minimizes power losses and requires a smaller transmission corridor than conventional technologies. It is particularly suitable for large countries like China and India, where centers of high power consumption are often located far from the energy sources.

SGCC is the country’s leading power utility responsible for the construction and operation of a vast power network that covers 26 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across a service area that represents 88 percent of the national territory.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 124,000 people.