Power and automation technology group ABB has been awarded a $17-million contract from the City of Cape Town electricity services department to assist in improving the reliability of power supplies to the region.

The orders were booked in the second quarter.

ABB stated on Thursday that for one of the projects, the company would replace and maintain interlocking equipment that ensures the safe operation of switchgear at three substations and a power station in Cape Town. ABB would also provide REF 545 feeder terminals for the protection, control and supervision of a high-voltage transmission network.

For another project, ABB would deliver a range of medium-voltage equipment including compact gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), rated at 12 kV, 24 kV and 36 kV, and ancillary equipment for nine substations in the Cape Town area. 

More than 200 GIS ZX1,2 panels will be supplied for this second project. The ZX series of GIS panels feature a hermetically sealed system with a stainless tank that contains all live parts and the panels’ switching functions. The constant atmospheric conditions in the sealed unit make it virtually maintenance free, highly reliable and safe for users.

“Upgrading these installations will help strengthen grid reliability and improve the quality of power supplies in the area,” said ABB South Africa CEO Carlos Poñe.

“Our state-of-the-art GIS will ensure maximum availability and extend the service life of the installations.”

The projects were scheduled for completion at the end of 2010 and were part of Cape Town’s growth and infrastructure upgrade plans.

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