Power and automation technology group, ABB, has signed a service contract with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to provide maintenance for equipment and systems at the Gulf Interconnection Grids newly constructed substations. The two-year contract is worth US$8.3mn and will aim to optimise the grids reliability through regular maintenance and provide technical and emergency assistance when required.
"We will provide round-the-clock support to the Interconnection Grid, including frequent substation visits for preventive maintenance and inspection as well as coordination with all suppliers for substation equipment," said ABB's Saudi Arabia services manager, Jalal Bageri.
Substations covered under the agreement include Al Fadhili, Ghunan, Salwa and Ras Al Qurayha in Saudi Arabia, Al Jasra in Bahrain, Al Zour in Kuwait and Doha South in Qatar.
"ABB has been a long-time partner with the GCCIA, including the building of the seven substations that the company will be maintaining," said GCCIA chairman Yousif Janahi. "As one of the largest electricity grid projects in the world, linking the networks of the six states that make up the GCC, we need a partner such as ABB that can ensure electricity distribution and transmission integrity."
