Swiss-automation and technology major ABB has clinched a $900 million order from Power Grid Corporation of India to deliver an ultrahigh-voltage transmission system. The link will supply hydropower from north-eastern India to Agra over a distance of 1,728 km.
ABB has been chosen to execute the North-East Agra transmission project together with the state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, which will deliver the remainder of the project worth more than $1.1 billion.
The ultrahigh-voltage direct current (UHVDC) link operating at 800 kilovolts (kv) will have a converter capacity of 8,000 megawatts (mw), the highest ever built.
When operating at full capacity, the link will be able to supply adequate electricity to serve 90 million people based on average national consumption, ABB said.
The system will be the world?s first UHVDC link with three converter stations. Two ?sending? stations will convert power from AC to DC for transmission over a single power line that will pass through the narrow Siliguri Corridor and deliver electricity to the third, ?receiving? station in Agra where it will be converted back into AC for distribution to end users.