ABB contracted to integrate more electricity into Qatar's grid

ABB, the Swiss automation and power technology company, has landed an $85 million contract in Qatar to provide substations that will integrate electricity from a new independent power plant into the country’s grid.

The power plant will fill a dual role, both using Qatar’s natural gas resources to produce 2,520 megawatts of power and putting water through a desalination process to make approximately 600 million liters of potable water a day.

Energy and water from the new plant will serve one of the large economic zones that are part of Qatar’s major plans to modernize and diversify its economy.

ABB will be responsible for making sure that electricity from the new power plant goes into the nation’s power grid. The company will design, engineer, supply, install and commission three substations, which will be equipped with state-of-the-art gas-insulated switchgear and advanced control, protection and telecom systems.

“We have an extensive presence and track-record in the region, and are pleased to contribute to Qatar’s efforts to expand capacity and address the growing demand for electricity and fresh water,” Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s power systems division, said.

Such projects are increasingly essential in Qatar as infrastructure will have to keep up with demand as the nation’s population grows at three times the rate of neighboring nations.