ABB has secured a $52 million order from Spanish technology company Abengoa to supply transformers and shunt reactors for projects to interconnect the grids in Brazil's northern and southern regions. ABB’s equipment will serve three projects under construction for Manaus Transmissora de Energia, one of Brazil’s leading energy transmission companies:

• A 374-km extension of the 500-kV Oriximina-Itacoatiara transmission line in the states of Para and Amazonas
• A 212-km extension of the Itacoatiara-Cariri 500-kV transmission line in the state of Amazonas, which includes the 500/230-kV Cariri substation
• An expansion of the 500-kV Ribeiro Goncalves-Balsas transmission system and the 230-kV Balsas substation in the north-eastern states of Piaui and Maranhao

The installations are located in challenging terrains, such as forests, accentuating the need for highly reliable equipment with minimal service needs.

“These interconnections will facilitate power transfers across Brazil’s regions and augment the transmission network,” said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB's Power Products division. “We are pleased to be able to contribute to the strengthening of the country’s power infrastructure.”

Abengoa applies innovative solutions for sustainable development in the infrastructure, environment and energy sectors, and has an extensive presence in Latin America.

Transformers are integral components of any electrical grid, and are a critical element in the efficient and safe conversion of electricity across diverse voltage systems. ABB’s transformer portfolio includes power transformers rated up to 1,000 kV, dry and liquid distribution transformers, as well as related services and components. Shunt reactors are power quality devices that control line voltage by absorbing reactive power.