ABB's gas-insulated switchgear will help
to guide, protect and insulate electrical equipment, thereby increasing
the reliability of Belgium's power supply. Shunt reactors from ABB in Ludvika
makes the transmission more energy efficient by improving power quality
and reduce transmission costs.
The order was booked in the fourth quarter
of 2014.
Elia is currently developing the Stevin
project including a new 47 km long, double, 380 kV power line between the
towns of Zomergem and Zeebrugge. The existing 150 kV grid is no longer
sufficient to meet the country's and region's electricity needs. The increased
capacity will enable the connection and integration of offshore wind in
the domestic mains supply and support the
transmission by a high-voltage link on the seabed between Britain and Belgium.
When the Stevin Link is complete it will
provide an electricity network backbone between the coast and inland regions
through Belgium and help Belgium to reach its goal of generating
13 percent of the country's energy needs from renewable sources by 2020
due to the integration of offshore wind power.
"ABB's latest GIS technology is extremely
compact and offers high reliability and security with minimal environmental
impact," said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB's Power Products division.
"We are pleased to be supporting the integration of renewable energy
and help to strengthen Belgium's electricity grid."
ABB's involvement includes design, supply
and deployment of 420 kV gas-insulated switchgear and 130 MVAr shunt reactors
to be installed in three 380 kV switchgear units.
Elia Group consists of Elia Transmission
in Belgium and 50Hertz Transmission in northern and eastern Germany. It
is one of the largest power companies in Europe is a key player in the
development of the European electricity market and integration of renewable
energy sources.
