DUBAL awards ABB $53m

has won a $53m contract from

(DUBAL) to upgrade electrical and automation systems at the company’s 480-hectare smelter complex in

.

According to ABB, DUBAL operates one of the largest single-site aluminium smelters in the world, having produced approximately 890,000 tonnes of aluminium in 2007. It is one of the largest non-oil contributors to Dubai’s economy.

Under the terms of the contract, ABB will replace 16 high-voltage regulating transformers (rectiformers, used to convert alternating current to direct current) with five larger units, rated at 86 megavolt amperes, to increase capacity and combine two smelting potlines.

ABB will provide design, installation and commissioning services for the project, and dismantle the existing equipment. The delivery includes control and protection systems, 250-kiloampere field-oriented measuring equipment, and upgrades to existing high-voltage cables, low-voltage and control cables, fire detection and fire-fighting equipment.

Commissioning of the new units is scheduled for completion in late 2009.