ABB ABB wins $21m order to design substation

Riyadh: Power and automation technology group ABB has won an order worth $21 million (Dh77 million) from SOLB South Steel Company to design, supply, and install a 132-kilovolt substation in Jazan Economic City.

The substation will power the SOLB South Steel Company.

The contract, signed with SOLB South Steel Company's majority investor Pan Kingdom Investment, will ensure that the SOLB South Steel Company can meet its annual production capacity of one million tonne billets and rebar.

The project is based in Jazan Economic City, one of Saudi Arabia's new economic zones. The substation is expected to be completed by 2011.

Technology

"Our ability and state-of-the-art technology were decisive in winning this order for what is set to be the first steel plant in the south of Saudi Arabia," said Mahmoud Shaban, sub-region manager at ABB.

While initial steel production has been set at one million tonnes per annum, the company's total capacity will rise to two million based on demand. The substation designed and installed by ABB will be able to provide additional output as and when required by SOLB South Steel Company.

Best supplier

"Our requirements and our long-term production targets meant we needed to choose the best supplier possible.

"ABB's reputation, solutions, and service were above and beyond what we expected and we're delighted that they will be working with us to create the kingdom's most modern steel production facility," said Shaikh Sulaiman Bin Salem Al Harbi, Chairman of the SOLB board of directors.