ABB commissions power transmission link in Brazil

ABB has commissioned the HVDC converter stations to the Rio Madeira HVDC link in Brazil and delivered the project to Abengoa.

The 2400 km, 3150 MW power connection is said to be the longest transmission link in the world, and will bring electricity from two hydropower plants in the northwest of the country to Sao Paulo. 

“This HVDC link will help integrate remotely located renewable energy and transmit clean electricity reliably and efficiently across this massive distance, with minimum losses, to millions of consumers,” said Claudio Facchin, head of ABB’s Power Systems business. 

Apart from the two 3150 MW HVDC converter stations for the world-record-length link, ABB has also delivered an 800 MW HVDC back-to-back station that transmits power to the surrounding AC network in the northwest of Brazil. 

These are the fourth and fifth transmission links using HVDC technology delivered by ABB in Brazil, succeeding the two Itaipu links, delivered in 1984 and 1987, and the two interconnections between Brazil and Argentina, delivered in 1999 and 2002. 

HVDC has lower losses across longer distances and a smaller footprint than traditional AC transmission systems. It is also able to stabilise intermittent power supplies that might otherwise disrupt the grid. For these reasons, it is the technology of choice for long-distance transmission projects which can deliver electricity from remote generation sources to the centres where it is needed.