Alstom Grid ready to produce 800kV HVDC transformers in Brazil following 24 million investment in its Canoas factory

New 800 kV ultra-high voltage power transformer test laboratory opened.

Alstom Grid opens today a new 800 kV test laboratory, designed for the testing and production of power transformers at its factory in Canoas, Brazil.

This 24 million investment extends the capabilities of Alstom Grids Canoas factory to be able to design, manufacture and test AC (Alternating Current) and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transformers up to 800 kV, the highest DC voltage level in operation today. First tests will support the production of converter transformers for the longest transmission line HVDC project in the world: Rio Madeira.

As in other parts of the world, Latin America is experiencing a growing need to interconnect transmission grids and to transmit power over very long distances from remote points of generation, which require the use of HVDC technologies. An example is the Rio Madeira project for which Alstom Grid is currently delivering a 600 kV HVDC bipole. This bipole will be integrated with the worlds longest transmission line - 2,375 kilometres - to connect the new hydro power plants of the Madeira river (Santo Antônio and Jirau) to Brazils Southeastern region, which has the largest power consumption in the country. Several transformers for this project will be supplied by Alstom from its Canoas site.

This investment in Canoas is part of Alstom Grids commitment to developing advanced high voltage technologies close to our customers and where they are needed. Alstom is already delivering major HVDC projects in the region, and we expect a growing demand in the future, which will generate more jobs and local skills, says Grégoire Poux-Guillaume, President of Alstom Grid.

Over its 50 year history, Alstom Grids Canoas site has been recognised as a major provider of power transformers, reactors and related services to utilities, power generators and industrial customers throughout Latin America and globally. Today, it is one of Alstoms 12 power transformer factories and five transformer R&D competence centres located worldwide, and is backed by Alstoms technological expertise and industrial experience in power transformers for all grid applications.

We reinforce our expectation of growth in Brazil at this moment in which power is one of the industries that receives most investments in the context of infrastructure projects. Our next steps include increasing the use of Smart Grid and energy efficiency solutions, adds Sergio Gomes, Alstom Grids Latin America Region Vice President.

Alstoms Grid sector has 1,300 employees in Brazil, located in three sites (Água Branca, Itajubá and Canoas).

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world. It provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 92,000 people in 100 countries and had sales of 20.9 billion in 2010/11.

In Brazil, Alstom has been present for over 55 years contributing to the development of the countrys infrastructure with more than 5,000 employees. The group has particularly played a significant role in the development of hydro and wind power.

Alstom Grid has over 100 years of expertise in electrical grids. Whether for utilities or electro-intensive industries or facilitating the trading of energy, Alstom Grid brings power to its customers projects. Alstom Grid ranks among the top 3 in electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of more than 4 billion. It has 20,000 employees and over 90 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide. At the heart of the development of Smart Grid, Alstom Grid offers products, services and integrated energy management solutions across the full energy value chainfrom power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.

Press contacts

Alstom Brazil Corporate Communication:

Mariana Maciel: mariana.maciel@crn.alstom.com / Tel: +55 11 3612-7074

Alstom Grid

Emmanuelle Helleux: emmanuelle.helleux@alstom.com / Tel: +33 1 49 01 70 87

Aline Besselièvre: aline.besselievre@alstom.com / Tel: + 33 1 49 01 69 04

Press relations: CDN Comunicação Corporativa

Paulo Ricardo Ritta: pauloricardo.ritta@cdn.com.br / Tel: + 55 11 3643-2790

Rodrigo Ferrari: rodrigo.ferrari@cdn.com.br / Tel: + 55 11 3643-2734

Website:www.alstom.com/brazilwww.alstom.com/grid