WCA September 2018

Industry news

Balance of power ABB has received an order from Transpower New Zealand Ltd to upgrade the HVDC link that interconnects the transmission grids and acts as an energy-balancing system between the North and South islands. Demand for power on the North Island, which has a population of over three times the population of the South Island, is substantially higher and relies on power generated on the South Island. The 600km North-South HVDC interconnection enables power transmission to areas of high demand, and plays an important role in the New Zealand electricity market by allowing power trading between the two islands. The first New Zealand link was commissioned in 1965 by ABB (then ASEA) as one of the earliest HVDC transmission systems in the world. It was originally a bipolar 600MW link with mercury arc valves, until the original equipment was paralleled onto a single pole in 1992, and a new thyristor-based pole was commissioned to increase capacity to 1,040 MW. The scope of the project includes a valve upgrade of pole 2 consisting of capacitors, fiber optics and valve control units based on the latest ABB Ability MACH control system. Transpower New Zealand Ltd – New Zealand Website : www.transpower.co.nz

Jakarta plant venture for LS Cable LS Cable & System is to be part of a joint venture with the AG Group. A press release said that LS signed an agreement with AG Group to jointly invest $40 million in the construction of cable plants near Jakarta, due for completion by 2019. The plants will produce overhead cables for infrastructure and low and medium voltage cables used for construction and plants, and are expected to generate around $100 million by 2025. LS Cable & System CEO Myung Roe-Hyun, said the discussions with AG Group received “a boost” after South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in announced the new southern policy during a business forum with Indonesia in November 2017. The AG Group is described as among Indonesia’s top ten companies, active in banking, hotels, construction and resorts. LS Cable & System – South Korea Website: www.lscns.com

33

www.read-wca.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2018