Alstom will enhance power transmission in Brazil

Alstom Grid has been awarded a contract by Chesf, one of the most important transmission utilities in Brazil, to extend the Tauá II substation on a turnkey basis. Alstom will improve power transmission efficiency in northeast of Brazil through a Static Var Compensator (SVC) and its respective 230 kV connection bay. The total value of the contract is around 14 million. 

The project is part of Brazils EPE (Energy Research Company) improvement plan aimed at reinforcing electricity transmission across the country. Alstoms Static Var Compensator (SVC), which has a power rating of -45/+90 MVAr ratings at a nominal voltage of 230 kV, will improve power quality and balance energy flow on the grid[1]. It is compliant with EPE planning criteria and network procedures from the ONS (National System Operator). 

Sergio Gomes, Vice-President of Alstom Grid in Latin America said: This project will reinforce Alstom Grids leadership in Brazil as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) solution provider. FACTS technologies provide the customer with a flexible solution to improve power transmission with minimal infrastructure investment. The environmental impact is low and the technology can be put into place in less than 18 months. 

The project will be implemented by the Power Electronics units located in São Paulo, Brazil and Tampere, Finland. The main SVC equipment will be manufactured in partnership between Alstom Brazils unit and countries as Finland and China. The commercial operation of the new project is scheduled for May 2014.

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, 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 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over 20 billion and booked close to 24 billion in orders in 2012/13. 

Alstom Grid has over 130 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 chain - from power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.

Press Contacts 
Mariana Maciel (Alstom Brazil and Latin America) - + 55 11 3612-7074; mariana.maciel@crn.alstom.com

[1] Static VAr Compensator (SVC) is a Flexible Alternating Current Transmission (FACTS) technology that enhances power transfer capabilities and control across electrical power transmission systems. The main purpose of SVC installations is to supply the electrical network with inductive or capacitive reactive power as quickly as possible, thereby improving power quality and increasing efficiency of the transmission grid.