ABB to deliver Plug-and-play EBoP solution in Thailand

For a new gas power plant.

According to a release, ABB is delivering a modular, pre-engineered electrical balance of plant solution for a new gas turbine combined cycle power plant that will help Thailand meet increasing demand for power with more efficient and environmentally sustainable technology.

ABB has been awarded a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to design and engineer a complete electrical solution for the 1,600 megawatt (MW) U-Thai gas turbine combined cycle power plant in Thailand. The power plant will be located in the U-Thai district of Ayutthaya Province, about 70 km north of Bangkok.

As part of the solution, ABB is supplying distribution transformers, low and medium-voltage switchgear as well as direct current (DC) systems. The solution includes a modular and customized E-house to store the electrical equipment that will integrate MHI’s turbine control system.

ABB’s modular, pre-engineered approach is a cost-effective plug-and-play solution that ensures faster overall delivery. Containers are pretested in the factory, helping customers to reduce operational and execution risks, while maintaining the traditional ABB standard of high-quality products and installation.

The U-Thai plant is owned and operated by Gulf JP UT Company, a leading independent power producer in Thailand and a subsidiary of Gulf JP Company Limited. Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, the generated electricity will be sold to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and the steam to users in Rojana Industrial Park, serving mainly the electronics and automotive industries.

The plant is part of Thailand’s effort to provide reliable and cost-effective power generation by promoting the use of more efficient and environmentally sustainable technology. More than 80 percent of the country’s power capacity comes from traditional fossil-fuel generation. This project supports Thailand's public-private partnerships (PPP) program by enhancing the efficiency of its power generation infrastructure, and is in line with the national plan to use such partnerships to add an additional 22 gigawatts (GW) to the country's current 34 GW generating capacity within the decade.

ABB is scheduled to complete its part of the project in the second quarter of 2014.

ABB is also currently working with MHI to supply similar electrical equipment and an E-house for the Nong Saeng 1,600 MW gas turbine combined cycle power plant in Thailand's Saraburi province. This plant is also owned and operated by Gulf JP Company Limited, through its subsidiary, Gulf JP NS Company Limited. The project is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2014.