Dubal awards Dh195m power contract to ABB

Dubai: Dubai Aluminum Company Limited (Dubal) has awarded a Dh195 million ($53 million) contract to power and automation technology group ABB for upgrading electrical and automation systems at the company's 480-hectare smelter complex in Dubai.

Dubal operates one of the largest single-site alum-inum smelters in the world, having produced approximately 890,000 tonnes of aluminum in 2007.

Under the terms of the contract, ABB said it will replace 16 high-voltage regulating transformers with five larger units, rated at 86 megavolt amperes, to increase capacity and combine two smelting potlines.

ABB will provide design, installation and commissioning services for the project, and dismantle the existing equipment. The delivery includes control and protection systems, 250-kiloampere field-oriented measuring equipment, and upgrades to existing high-voltage cables, low-voltage and control cables, fire detection and fire-fighting equipment.

This order follows a similar contract awarded by Dubal in 2006. ABB was commissioned to deliver a similar scope of supply for an earlier expansion of this smelter complex.

"ABB's comprehensive service and product portfolio gives customers like Dubal the solutions to grow capacity while using energy more efficiently," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's process automation division.