ABB has been awarded a $24m (£14.5m) contract by the National Grid for a 400kV substation that will provide the grid connection for a new power station in the north west of England.
The Carrington Power project is a CCGT (combined-cycle gas turbine) plant located on the site of a former coal-fired power station in Trafford near the city of Manchester, alongside the Manchester Shipping Canal and the River Mersey. Since the late1980s, the site has remained largely unused, apart from some vehicle storage.
Construction of the new plant is scheduled to start in early 2010, and after commissioning in late 2012, the plant is expected to enter commercial operation in 2013.
The project, comprising two 430MW generator modules, will produce enough power to meet the needs of around one million households.
ABB’s contract includes the supply of five bays of GIS (gas-insulated switchgear) and associated systems. The switchgear will be housed in a dedicated building elevated by around 1.7m to ensure continued operation in the event of a flood.
Future expansion by an additional seven bays of GIS equipment has also been allowed for.
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