ABB has won an order worth more than $30m from Société Nationale d’électricité (SNEL) for a partial upgrade of the 1700km Inga-Kolwezi HVDC transmission link in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The link transmits power from the Inga hydro plant on the Congo River to the mining district of Katanga in the south-east of the country. It also exports the excess power to Southern African Power Pool countries.
ABB built the link in 1982 and first upgraded it in 2009.
The latest refurbishment will boost transmission capacity to 1GW from 520MW, enhance grid reliability and extend life span of the link.
ABB’s project scope includes system studies, supply of key equipment, such as high voltage apparatus, and commissioning.
ABB power grids division president Claudio Facchin said: “We are pleased to continue our long association with the Inga-Kolwezi HVDC link and contribute to the strengthening of the DRC’s power infrastructure. This upgrade will boost supply of clean hydropower to industrial and domestic customers.”
Image: ABB
ABB bolsters African grid
$30m contract to upgrade 1700km link in Democratic Republic of the Congo
By EBS