NEW POWER SUBSTATIONS WILL SUPPORT ONE OF EUROPE'S BUSIEST RAIL LINES

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NEW POWER SUBSTATIONS WILL SUPPORT ONE OF EUROPE'S BUSIEST RAIL LINES
02 November 2004 - ABB (Power Technologies)

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a $31 million contract from National Grid Transco in the United Kingdom for equipment and services as part of a programme to upgrade the power supply of Network Rail's West Coast Main Line.

NGT owns and operates the high voltage electrical transmission system in England and Wales. Network Rail controls the U.K.'s rail infrastructure.

One of Europe's busiest railways, WCML serves 16 million people with more than 2,000 passenger and freight trains across 1,000 kilometers of track each day – from the heart of London to Scotland, as well as links to many of the U.K's major cities and country communities.

'This contract and the agreement with NGT confirms our position as supplier of choice for rail power systems and a reliable, long-term partner for railway operators,' said Peter Smits, head of ABB Power Technologies division.

The new 25-0-25 kilovolt rail supply stations will allow Network Rail to upgrade trackside power supplies to the 50-kilovolt system required for high-speed rail services commonly used on mainland Europe.

ABB will provide two new 400/25 kV connection points at each of two locations together with two remotely located 25 kV substations. The contracts include two ABB supergrid transformers, switchgear and cabling at each site, together with advanced substation protection and automation systems. There is also an option for the provision of design/engineering and procurement of long lead time equipment for a third, as yet unspecified ,site.

ABB has a frame agreement with NGT to help modernize WCML and deliver cost efficiencies and savings to NGT and Network Rail.

http://abb.com/uk

About: ABB (Power Technologies)
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impacts. ABB in the UK operates from more than 20 locations nationally and employs around 2,500 people. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 105,000 people.

Power Technologies
The Power Technologies division serves industrial and commercial customers, as well as electric, gas and water utilities, with a broad range of products, services and solutions for power transmission and distribution. The portfolio includes transformers, switchgear, breakers, capacitors and cables, as well as high- and medium-voltage applications, many of which are also sold through external channel partners like distributors, system integrators, contractors and original equipment manufacturers.

Automation Technologies
The Automation Technologies division serves the automotive, building, chemicals, consumer, electronics, life sciences, manufacturing, marine, metals, minerals, paper, petroleum, transportation, turbocharging and utility industries. Key technologies include control, drives, enterprise software, instrumentation, low-voltage products, motors, robots and turbochargers. These offerings are supported by field maintenance and asset management services, and are sold both directly and through channel partners.

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