Oil major BP has placed an order with ABB, worth $50 million, to supply equipment for an underwater power link to power oil platforms off the coast of Norway.
ABB will supply HVDC converter stations at each end of a 292 km cable from Lista in southern Norway to the Valhall oil field in the North Sea.
The power line will replace offshore gas turbines and cut emissions of carbon dioxide, delivering 78 MW of power when it starts operating in 2009.
Execution of the project is subject to regulatory approval.
ABB has also signed a five-year deal worth more than $100 million to provide the US’ largest utility, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with transformers and related services.
ABB will supply the TVA with all transformers rated 230 kV and above and gives the Authority reserved production slots at several ABB transformer factories. The TVA also has an option to renew the contract for an additional five years.