ABB to build electricity dispatch centre in Algeria

19-03-02 Swiss power and automation technology group, ABB recently announced it has won a $ 30 mm contract from Algeria's national power company Societe Nationale d'Electricite et du Gaz (Sonelgaz) to install five new electricity load dispatch centres and a related information technology system.

The new load dispatch centres are designed to improve monitoring and control of Sonelgaz' power generation resources and transmission system. They are scheduled to start operation in early 2004. The new load dispatch centres will use ABB's energy management system to control the 247 power stations and substations that make up the Sonelgaz electricity supply network.
The contract calls for one national control centre, four regional centres and a back-up centre. It includes computer systems, data acquisition terminals and associated buildings. A load dispatch centre will coordinate the flow of power in an electric power system so the highest level of demand can be met at any given time within the carrying limits of network transmission lines.

Based in Switzerland, ABB is a power and automation technologies provider, employing 55,000 employees in more than 100 countries. In June 2001, ABB won a $ 70-mm contract to upgrade a key oil pipeline in Algeria.