ABB to invest Rs 250 cr to expand power products manufacturing base in India

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, will invest around Rs. 250 crore to build new facilities in India to manufacture high-voltage power products and transformers. The expansion is part of ABB’s strategy to develop, manufacture and market products that meet the needs of Indian customers, as well as serving as an export hub.

"The new manufacturing units will further strengthen our local footprint and enhance our product portfolio. They will enable us to serve our customers better as we continue to support the development of the country's power infrastructure" said Pitamber Shivnani, Local Division Manager, Power Products in India.

The facilities will be located in Savli near Vadodara, Gujarat and produce high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and PASS (plug and switch system) hybrid switchgear as well as dry-type and oil immersed distribution transformers. The facilities are expected to be operational by the end of 2012.

A pioneer in GIS technology, ABB's latest series can offer space savings of up to 90 percent compared to conventional air-insulated switchgear. Its low-weight, robust design enables the equipment to be deployed even in harsh conditions and enhances system reliability, efficiency and minimizes maintenance needs.

ABB’s plug and switch system (PASS) is a hybrid switchgear solution that combines features of air- and gas-insulated technologies. It incorporates the functions of a complete switchgear bay in a single module, and can be installed in a few hours. Compared to conventional technology, ABB's factory-assembled solution requires up to 60 percent less space, and is easily integrated into existing substations, which enables bay extensions with minimum down time.

The new transformer factory will manufacture vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers and oil immersed distribution transformers. It will help to bridge a gap in the present product offering in India and extend the distribution transformer range up to 10 megavolt amperes (MVA), 33 kilovolts (kV). It will also enable localization of vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers.

ABB has global expertise in the design and manufacture of transformers for special requirements that optimize space and can withstand the most demanding conditions. Dry-type transformers help reduce environmental impact and can be deployed in environmentally challenging conditions.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.