ABB to reinforce Bangladesh power grid and help meet growing demand
Zurich, Switzerland, April 18, 2017 – $30 million substation order to enhance transmission capacity and boost electricity supply to more than 250,000 households
ABB has won an order worth around $30 million, from Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Ltd (PGCB), the country’s national transmission utility, to support the country’s power infrastructure expansion and meet its growing electricity needs. As part of the project, ABB will build two new substations and upgrade two existing substations, all located in the south-eastern parts of Bangladesh. The order was booked in the first quarter of 2017.
The substations will add around 535 megawatts (MW) of transmission capacity – enough to power more than 250,000 households – and contribute to the government’s target of providing access to electricity for its population of around 165 million, by 2021. The government of Bangladesh is working towards its ‘Vision 2041’, which outlines plans to have a strong and developed economy by 2041. To achieve this, the country is focusing on a steady GDP growth of over 7 percent. This economic growth ambition is also boosting the demand for electricity.
ABB will build and commission one 132kV/33kV air insulated switchgear substation in Kachua, one 132kV/33kV gas insulated switchgear substation in Kalurghat and upgrade two existing 132kV/33kV AIS substations into GIS substations in the Comilla and Modhunaghat areas. ABB will also provide substation automation systems and fiber optic communications. The design, engineering, system integration and supply of key products will be executed by ABB’s operations in India.
“We have a proven track record in Bangladesh and are pleased to continue supporting the country in its efforts to strengthen its power infrastructure and boost transmission capacity to bring much needed electricity to millions of households”, said Patrick Fragman, Managing Director of ABB’s Grid Integration business, a part of the company’s Power Grids division. “As part of our Next Level strategy, we are strongly committed to providing solutions for reliable power, which is a major catalyst for growth in the South Asian region.”
The long-term plan for Bangladesh is to generate 60,000 MW electricity by 2041 – four times its current capacity – and grow its industrial and transport sector. Bangladesh is investing in its electricity infrastructure to meet the rapidly increasing demand for power and to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. For over a decade, ABB has supported utility and industry customers in Bangladesh to help the country meet its growth plans.
Contact: Head of Communications, Power Grids division, ABB, Harmeet Bawa, harmeet.bawa@ch.abb.com, Tel: +41 43 317 71 11
ABB (ABB: NYSE) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a more than 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees. www.abb.com
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