Re Contract

ABB Ltd
18 March 2002


ABB wins US$ 30 million contract in Algeria

New installations will help improve efficiency of national power supply

Zurich, Switzerland, March 18, 2002 - ABB, the global power and automation
technology group, said today it has won a US$30 million contract from
Algeria's national power company Societe Nationale d'Electricite et du Gaz
(Sonelgaz) to install five new electricity load dispatch centers and a related
IT system.

The contract calls for one national control center, four regional centers and a
back-up center. It includes computer systems, data acquisition terminals and
associated buildings. A load dispatch center coordinates 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.

The new load dispatch centers will use ABB's energy management system to
control the 247 power stations and substations that make up the Sonelgaz
electricity supply network. 

'Improving Sonelgaz's capability to collect and monitor data through a fully 
integrated system will help them get the most out of their existing generation 
and transmission infrastructure,' said Richard Siudek, executive vice-president 
and head of ABB Utilities division. 'These new facilities will benefit our 
customer and consumers by providing better network quality, safety and cost 
savings.'

The new load dispatch centers are designed to improve monitoring and control of
Sonelgaz's power generation resources and transmission system. They are 
scheduled to start operation in early 2004.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a global leader in power and automation technologies that 
enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering 
environmental impact. ABB has 155,000 employees in more than 100 countries.


For more information please contact:
 
Media Relations                           Investor Relations
ABB Corporate Communications, Zurich      Switzerland: Tel. [phone] 
Thomas Schmidt                            Sweden: Tel.[phone] 
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