Leading power and automation technology group ABB has won a $53 million order for a substation to ensure reliable power supplies to Saudi-based Najran University.

As per the deal, ABB is responsible for design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 380 kV substation capable of distributing power at 132 kV and 13.8 kV. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The turnkey order includes civil works and auxiliary systems as well as key equipment such as gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), transformers, protection equipment and substation automation, said an ABB statement.

“This substation will help meet the growing demand for electricity and support the expansion of Najran University” said Mahmoud Shaban, country manager, ABB in Saudi Arabia and Subregion Manager, ABB in Arabian Peninsula.

”ABB’s compact GIS technology will ensure reliability and at the same time minimize the substation footprint,” he noted.

Najran University is located in the city of Najran in the south of Saudi Arabia. The university, which was founded in 2006, is the country’s largest by area and covers 18 million sq m.-TradeArabia News Service