Contract

ABB Ltd
30 August 2000


ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich            ABB Inc. Norwall, CT
John Fox                                        William S. Kelly
Tel: [phone]                             Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]                             Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]                             [e-mail]


ABB in U.S. power link between Long Island and Connecticut

HVDC Light technology key to 40-kilometer subsea link

Zurich, Switzerland, August 30, 2000 - ABB, the global technology company, has
won a US$120-million order to supply the transmission system for the HVDC
(high-voltage direct current) Cross-Sound Cable subsea power interconnection
linking Long Island and Connecticut, New York, in the U.S.

The order for the 330-megawatt, 40-kilometer link was placed by TransEnergie
U.S. Ltd., a subsidiary of TransEnergie, the transmission division of Hydro-
Quebec, Canada.  The link is scheduled to begin operation by May, 2002.

Under the terms of the contract, ABB will provide a complete HVDC Light
transmission system.  The system is made up of high-tech extruded cables buried
under the seabed, with a converter station at each end of the link.  The 
stations convert electricity from alternating current used in the local power
grids to direct current for efficient power transmission over longer distances.

The Cross-Sound Cable subsea power interconnection follows close on the heels of
ABB's two most recent HVDC Light installations.  The first links Texas, U.S.
to Mexico at Eagle Pass.  The second, called Directlink, connects the New South
Wales and Queensland, Australia electricity grids, allowing power to be traded
between the two states for the first time.

ABB's HVDC Light technology uses high-power semiconductors, which when coupled
with advanced cables, transmit electricity over long distances with lower losses
and lower investment needs than conventional HVDC power transmission
systems.  It is equipped with measurement and control systems that enable power
trading, making it especially suitable for deregulating and privatized power
markets.

The Cross-Sound link is expected to improve the reliability of power supply in
the Connecticut and New England power grids, while providing urgently needed
electricity to Long Island.  The HVDC Light connection is also designed to
promote competition in the New York and New England electricity markets by 
enabling electricity to be traded among power generators and customers in both
regions.

The ABB Group (www.abb.com) serves customers in power transmission and 
distribution; automation; oil, gas, and petrochemicals; building technologies; 
and in financial services.  With novel IT applications, tailored software
solutions, growing eBusiness and a fast-expanding knowledge and service base,
ABB is building links to the new economy.  The ABB Group employs about 160,000
people in more than 100 countries.