Power and automation technology group ABB has received orders worth around $20M from two power utilities managed by Swiss power utility Axpo to refurbish the generators at two of its hydroelectric power plants.
The plants are located in the picturesque and mountainous canton of Wallis (Valais) in southern Switzerland, bordering France and Italy. The Mattmark and Mauvoisin power plants are capable of generating 680MW of electricity and represent around 15% of the canton’s installed power generation capacity. The orders were booked in the first quarter.
“The upgrade and refurbishment of these hydropower plants will help increase availability of power supplies and enhance efficiency and reliability” said Franz-Josef Mengede, head of ABB’s Power Generation business within the company’s Power Systems division. “This project is another example of our increased focus on service as a strategic growth driver and leveraging of renewables and energy efficiency as key contributors in minimizing environmental impact.”
ABB is already active in Switzerland, executing a $120M order to provide turnkey electrical, automation and control solutions for the Linth-Limmern pumped-storage hydropower station being installed in an underground cavern in the Linthal valley, located in the canton of Glarus, in eastern Switzerland.