Power for polysilicon plant

has won a $36m (£20m) contract with

to supply electrical systems, equipment and related engineering and project management services for a new production plant in

.

When completed, the facility will be Asia’s largest polysilicon plant, with an annual capacity of 15,000 metric tons.

Polysilicon is used in the production of monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers, the principal raw material used to produce solar cells.

As the main electrical contractor for the project, ABB will provide equipment and services for the electrification of the plant. The scope of supply includes low and medium voltage switchgear, distribution transformers and fully insulated tubular busbars, plus project design, engineering and other services.

The first production line of the new plant is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2008, and up to 7,000 metric tons of polysilicon is expected to be produced by 2009.