$75 million power order

ABB has won an order worth around $75 million to supply advanced converter transformers for the Belo Monte 800 kilovolts (kV) ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission link. The 2518 kilometre (km) link will transmit clean power generated in the north of Brazil, from the Xingu substation, to the Rio Substation in the southeast. It will be capable of transporting up to 4000 megawatts (MW) of electricity – enough to meet the needs of around ten million people. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2016.

“Ultra-high voltage technologies are a key focus area of our Next Level strategy, and our advanced converter transformers are making it possible to integrate renewable energy sources and transmit clean power across long distances with minimum losses, reliably and efficiently,” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids division.

ABB supplies for the Belo Monte UHVDC link include fourteen 400 mega-volt-ampere (MVA), 400 kilovolt (kV) converter transformers and other related equipment. Converter transformers are among the most vital components in a transmission system, enabling grid stability and power reliability, while minimising losses.

UHVDC is an advancement of HVDC, a technology pioneered by ABB over 60 years ago, and represents the biggest capacity and efficiency leap in over two decades. In keeping with its pioneering heritage, ABB was also the first to successfully develop and test 1100 kV converter transformer technology setting the record for the highest DC voltage levels ever and making it possible to increase the power transmission capacity of UHVDC links to the unprecedented level of 12,000 megawatts.