The Swiss-Swedish power and automation technology group ABB has won contracts worth US$85mn from Algeria’s state-owned utility Sonelgaz for three projects to upgrade Algeria’s power grid.

The first project would improve power distribution in greater Algiers with the installation of 60kV substations, corresponding automation technology and 15km of overhead transmission lines in the suburban centres of Meftah and Mazafran.

The second project, called Ravin Blanc, would increase the capacity of the existing power grid in northwestern Algeria, and would include installing four turnkey 60kV substations near the coastal city of Oran.

The third, called Touggourt/Biskra, would be an expansion of two existing 220kV substations to improve power distribution to Algeria’s northeastern region.
A number of high-end power components would be supplied by ABB in Germany, as well as project planning and management.