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| ABB to strengthen power grid in Ethiopia  ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won orders worth around $26 million from EEPCO (Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation), the national power utility, to extend and upgrade four existing transmission substations in the central region of the country. The orders were booked in the third quarter.Ethiopia is among the world's oldest civilizations, with a population of about 82 million, making it the second-most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa. In recent years it has been one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and has made significant progress in improving key human development indicators and reducing poverty. The Ethiopian government has launched a new five-year plan (2010-2015) called the Growth and Transformation Plan, aimed at fostering sustainable development. As part of this program, it aims to increase power generation capacity from approximately 2, 000 MW (megawatts) to 8,000 MW and provide 75 percent of its population with access to electricity by 2015, almost doubling the number connected in 2010. Hydropower is a key focus area as the country uses only 5 percent of its abundant hydropower potential, estimated at 45, 000 MW, the second-biggest in Africa. The project, financed by the African Development Fund, is part of EEPCO's initiative to improve their electricity transmission system. This will help reduce transmission losses and provide power to more consumers across the country. The three 400/230 kilovolt (kV) and one 230/132/15 kV air-insulated switchgear substations are located in the greater Addis Ababa area. ABB is responsible for the design, engineering, supply, erection and commissioning of the substations, including civil works. Some of the main products to be supplied include high-voltage products, switchgear and power transformers. ABB will also extend the existing substation automation, telecommunication, control and protection systems. The project is expected to be completed by 2013. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |