ABB wins order for hybrid integrated solar power plant

April 27, 2009

ZURICH, Switzerland, April 27, – ABB recently won an order worth $14 million to provide a complete electrical balance of plant (eBoP) solution for a 150-megawatt (MW) integrated, combined-cycle solar power plant under construction in Algeria.

The order was placed by the Spanish company UTE Aberer Hassi R’Mel Construction and the plant will be set up at the Hassi R’Mel natural gas field in northern Algeria. It will have two 40 MW gas turbines, one 80-MW steam turbine and two parabolic trough solar fields with a generating capacity of 25 MW. The power plant will be fired by a combination of natural gas from the gas field and solar energy collected by the parabolic troughs. This is a pioneering hybrid project in terms of integrating solar and combined cycle power generation in a single facility.

ABB’s project scope includes design, engineering, supply, erection and commissioning of the complete electrical balance of plant. The main equipment to be supplied includes medium- and low-voltage switchgear, auxiliary transformers, generator circuit breakers, isolated bus-ducts and emergency diesel generators. The project is expected to be completed by August 2010.

ABB has a range of power and automation solutions for renewable energy. The company is presently executing several photovoltaic and thermo-solar power projects in Europe, the United States, Australia and the Middle East.