ABB awarded $400 million order for Maritime Link power project in Canada

HVDC Light system for major power transmission link in eastern Canada to facilitate integration of renewable energy and stabilization of electrical grid

MONTREAL, July 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth approximately $400 million from NSP Maritime Link Inc., a subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA), to supply a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission solution creating the first electricity link between the island of Newfoundland and the North American power grid. The order was booked in the second quarter of 2014.

The Maritime Link Project is a 500 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) connection that will enable clean, renewable electricity generated in Newfoundland and Labrador to be transmitted to the North American grid in Nova Scotia. The stabilizing features of ABB's latest HVDC Light solution will also allow Nova Scotia to integrate additional renewables and contribute to Canada's emission-reduction efforts.

"ABB pioneered HVDC and is a global leader in this key transmission technology which is being increasingly deployed across a range of applications" said ABB Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Spiesshofer. "Our innovative solution for this project will help integrate clean renewable energy, facilitate the efficient transmission of electricity, improve grid stability and enable power sharing."

"We are glad to provide Emera with an optimized solution responding to our customer's needs and that represents the best-in-class technology. This is an important new chapter in the power transmission industry for Canada and North America and we are committed to continue to provide excellence in this field, Anders Hultberg, Senior Vice President, Power Systems for ABB in Canada." 

The Maritime Link will deploy ABB's HVDC Light Voltage Source Conversion (VSC) technology incorporating a full VSC bipolar configuration to further enhance system availability.

In addition to the two converter stations for the ±200 kilovolt (kV) HVDC link, the project scope also includes two 230 kV alternating current (AC) substations in Newfoundland, one 345 kV AC substation in Nova Scotia and two cable transition stations. The project is scheduled for commissioning in 2017. ABB's HVDC Light solution leads the way in VSC technology and the company has delivered 13 of the 14 commissioned VSC links in the world. HVDC Light continues to be a preferred solution for long-distance underground and underwater power links and interconnections like the Maritime Link Project.

This technology is increasingly being deployed across a range of applications. These include integration of renewable energies from land-based and offshore wind farms, mainland power supply to islands and offshore oil and gas platforms, city center in-feeds where space is a major constraint and cross-border interconnections that often connect across the seas. Its ability to meet grid code compliance ensures robust network connections regardless of application.

ABB pioneered HVDC technology 60 years ago and has been awarded approximately 90 HVDC projects representing a total installed capacity of more than 95,000 MW, accounting for about half of the global installed base.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.

ABB in Canada employs 5,000 employees from coast to coast who are experts in their field of technology and contribute to ABB's industry leadership in key energy and industrial sectors across the country. Our company has been serving our Canadian customers for nearly a century with reliable energy efficient solutions for utilities, industry, buildings, infrastructure and transportation.

Image with caption: "The stabilizing features of ABB’s latest HVDC Light solution will allow Nova Scotia to integrate additional renewables and contribute to Canada’s emission-reduction efforts. Images shown illustrate similar projects at other sites. (CNW Group/ABB inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140709_C2639_PHOTO_EN_4169.jpg

Image with caption: "The stabilizing features of ABB’s latest HVDC Light solution will allow Nova Scotia to integrate additional renewables and contribute to Canada’s emission-reduction efforts. Images shown illustrate similar projects at other sites. (CNW Group/ABB inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140709_C2639_PHOTO_EN_4170.jpg

SOURCE: ABB inc.

For further information: For information on ABB in Canada, or interview with Anders Hultberg: Carolina Gallo, Mobile: [phone]