ABB has won a $36-million contract to strengthen the grid in the Venezuelan states of Carabobo and Yaracuy to help meet rising demand for electricity. The project was awarded by the leading Venezuelan utility, CVG Electrificación del Caroní, C.A. (CVG EDELCA), to enhance transmission of hydropower generated in the south-east to the oil sector and other industries in the north-west. It is ABB's first 800-kV turnkey substation project.

"A reliable supply of power will support the development of Venezuela's industries," said Peter Leupp, head of ABB's Power Systems division. "The project will be an important reference for ABB in the growing 800 kV market worldwide."

The project will extend two 800-kV substations and include construction of connection feeders for an 800/230-kV power transformer, which will be procured by CVG EDELCA in a separate contract.

ABB in Sweden and Venezuela will carry out design and engineering work. ABB high-voltage switchgear will be manufactured in Sweden. The substations are expected to be in operation by July 2008.

CVG EDELCA owns Venezuela's 800-kV grid, which transmits electricity from hydropower plants on the Caroní River to the country's major demand centers. ABB has already built several 400-kV and 230-kV substations for CVG EDELCA, and is upgrading 20 generating units at the company's 10,000 megawatt Guri hydropower plant – the second largest in the world – with new control, protection and instrumentation systems.