ABB has won an order worth $108 million from the Saudi Electricity Company, Saudi Arabia’s national power transmission and distribution provider, to construct six new substations. The order was booked in the first quarter, 2010. The new substations are part of a drive to boost power capacity and improve grid reliability and efficiency

Four of the substations, rated at 115/13.8 kV will be located in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region, in Dammam and Al-Hassa. The other two, rated at 110/13.8 kV, will be built in the country’s western region, in Jeddah and Mecca.

“These substations will enhance the capacity of the region’s power transmission and distribution systems and help to meet growing demand for power,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “They will also help strengthen grid reliability and improve the efficiency of the regional grid.”

As part of the turnkey contract, ABB will be responsible for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the substations, which are scheduled for completion by 2012.

Under the terms of the contract, ABB will provide gas-insulated switchgear, transformers, medium-voltage switchgear, low-voltage auxiliary systems and the network protection systems. ABB will also equip the substations with automation, control and communication solutions making them fully compliant with the global IEC 61850 standard.