ABB has won an order worth over $40 million to provide power equipment for the 800kV Dianxibei-Guangdong ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission link, a project which will transmit clean hydropower from Yunnan province in southwestern China to the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong.

The project, operated by China Southern Power Grid Company Limited, is expected to transmit 5000MW of power over a distance of more than 1950km, and will help the region to significantly reduce coal consumption and mitigate carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions.

“We are pleased that our advanced power technologies will enable the longest UHVDC link in southern China to deliver clean power to millions and lower environmental impact,” said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids division. “Ultra-high-voltage technologies are a key element of our Next Level strategy and will help expansive countries like China to reliably and efficiently transport increasing amounts of clean, renewable power over greater distances.”

ABB technologies will be deployed at the Xinsong converter station in Yunnan and the Dongfang station in Guangdong. The Xinsong converter station is located at a high altitude of 2400m and the valves have been specially designed to meet the demanding electrical and mechanical needs of the harsh environment. ABB will also supply dead-tank breakers, live-tank breakers and Direct Current (DC) capacitors, as well as equipment for converter valve towers and halls.