Zurich, Switzerland, November 2, 2004 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a $31 million contract from National Grid Transco (NGT) in the United Kingdom for equipment and services as part of a programme to upgrade the power supply of Network Rail's West Coast Main Line (WCML).
NGT owns and operates the high voltage electrical transmission system in England and Wales. Network Rail controls the U.K.'s rail infrastructure.
One of Europe's busiest railways, WCML serves 16 million people with more than 2,000 passenger and freight trains across 1,000 kilometers of track each day - from the heart of London to Scotland, as well as links to many of the U.K's major cities and country communities.
"This contract and the agreement with NGT confirms our position as supplier of choice for rail power systems and a reliable, long-term partner for railway operators," said Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division.
The new 25-0-25 kilovolt rail supply stations will allow Network Rail to upgrade trackside power supplies to the 50-kilovolt system required for high-speed rail services commonly used on mainland Europe.
ABB will provide two new 400/25 kV connection points at each of two locations together with two remotely located 25 kV substations. The contracts include two ABB supergrid transformers, switchgear and cabling at each site, together with advanced substation protection and automation systems. There is also an option for the provision of design/engineering and procurement of long lead time equipment for a third, as yet unspecified ,site.
ABB has a frame agreement with NGT to help modernize WCML and deliver cost efficiencies and savings to NGT and Network Rail.
ABB www.abb.com is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering their environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 103,000 people.
