ABB has commissioned the Xiangjiaba-Shanghai project, the world’s first UHVDC (ultrahigh-voltage direct current) transmission link to go into commercial operation. ABB was the main technology supplier to State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and the project was completed in 30 months, one year ahead of schedule.

The ±800 kV Xiangjiaba-Shanghai UHVDC link has the capacity to transmit up to 7200 MW of power from the Xiangjiaba hydropower plant in southwest China to Shanghai, the country's leading industrial and commercial center about 2,000 km away. The new link is able to meet the electricity needs of about 24 million people, and sets a new benchmark in terms of voltage levels and transmission capacity, superseding the 600 kV Itaipu transmission line in Brazil, which was also delivered by ABB.

"800 kV UHVDC will play an important role in providing China with access to remote renewable energy, a key focus area for us,” says Zheng Baosen, executive vice president, SGCC.

The high-capacity power link comprises a single overhead line and occupies less space than the existing system. Moreover, transmission losses on the new line are under 7 percent, again, considerably less than the existing 500 kV system. The electricity saved is equivalent to the power needs of around one million people in China.

As part of the turnkey project, ABB was responsible for overall system design and supplied the main equipment. The scope of delivery included 28 high- and ultrahigh-voltage converter transformers, 10 of which were delivered from Sweden and the rest manufactured with ABB components and technology, in local partnership. Other key products delivered include thyristor valves, DC and AC (direct and alternating current) switchyard equipment and the newly developed DCC800 HVDC control system.