:: ABB wins $140-million smelter project in Qatar

Power and automation systems will support world’s largest aluminum plant

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been awarded a $140-million contract by Qatalum, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Norway’s Hydro Aluminum. The partners are constructing what will be the world’s largest aluminum plant built in one phase in Qatar.

ABB will supply a high-voltage power rectifier station consisting of ten high-current rectifiers rated at 1750 volts, ten regulating and rectifier transformers, System 800xA control and protection systems, two SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems, two direct-current measuring systems and various auxiliary systems. ABB will also provide high-voltage cabling, engineering, training, installation and commissioning.

“This milestone project reflects our extensive expertise and experience in the primary metals and minerals industries,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “By combining standard ABB products and systems with industry-specific knowledge, we have established a strong track record for meeting customers’ needs in terms of productivity, reliability and energy efficiency.”

The greenfield Qatalum project will include an aluminum smelter with a capacity of 585,000 tons per year, and a dedicated 1350-MW power plant station to ensure a stable supply of electricity. The smelter will be located in the Mesaieed Industrial City, about 40 kilometers south of the Qatar’s capital, Doha, near a natural bay on the southern coast of the Qatar Eastern Peninsula.