$70 million London Underground deal awarded to ABB

ABB, an automation technology leader, has won a $70 million deal from Transport for London to construct a point substation to power London’s underground rail network.

Under the contract, the Swiss company will build the Edgware Road substation and supply the needed electrical components – including switchboards and coupling transformers. ABB will also install about 20kms of power cable in the subways and ducts.

A study on the rail system’s power quality will also be conducted as part of the plan. The substation project is due to be finished in 2012.

ABB’s head of power systems division, Peter Leupp, informed that modern urban railways rely on reliable power supplies. He assured that the company has the global track record and the technology to effectively design the underground rail project in London.

London Underground’s Circle, City, District, Hammersmith and Metropolitan lines are due to be serviced by new trains mid next year. The modern rail cars will replace the ageing trains, help increase passenger capacity, and introduce improvements such as electronic signage and air conditioning.

Earlier in 9 December, ABB had signed as well a $54 million contract from Eksom, the leading South African utility. Under the agreement, ABB will provide automation solutions in three of Eksom’s largest power plants to extend service life and boost efficiency. Each power station, consisted of six generating units, has the capacity of about 4GW.

ABB is a global leader in providing automation and power technologies to utility and industry customers, while lowering environmental impact. Operating in 100 countries, the company employs 120,000 workers worldwide.