Re Contract

ABB Ltd
30 September 2002



ABB wins US$ 48 million power transmission contract in India

High-voltage system will increase transmission capacity between networks

Zurich, Switzerland, September 30, 2002 - ABB, the leading power and automation
technology group, said today it has won a US$ 48 million order in India to
design, build and install a new power transmission system that will strengthen
the country's power supply.

The order, signed with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., is to supply a
500-megawatt high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system that will connect two
regional grids which feed power to millions of consumers in eastern and southern
India.

'We pioneered HVDC technology, and understand customer requirements for projects
of this nature,' said Richard Siudek, executive vice president and head of ABB's
Utilities division. 'This interconnection will contribute to Power Grid's phased
development of a national grid, while providing the near-term benefit of
improved regional power reliability.'


The Vizag II HVDC project will be installed at Gazuwaka, located at
Vishakhapatnam on India's southeast coast. Located beside an existing HVDC
station, it will increase the capacity for high-voltage power exchange between
the eastern and southern power grids by 500 MW. In addition, the system will
provide voltage and frequency support for both grids during power disturbances.

Vizag II is scheduled for completion and commercial operation by the beginning
of 2005. The order is for project management, civil works and buildings,
erection and commissioning and equipment including thyristor valves, converter
transformers, and control and protection systems.

ABB has installed more than half the HVDC systems in the world, including
projects in North and South America, Africa, China, India, Australia and Europe.



ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable
utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering
environmental impacts. The ABB Group of companies operates in more than 100
countries and employs about 150,000 people.


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