ABB actively bolsters China’s nuclear power development

ABB’s business expansion extends from its advantages in leading technology and complete product portfolio

Beijing, China, May 19, 2009 ——ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently announced that two local ABB China companies will supply low and medium-voltage switchgear to the China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNPE), a company under the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). ABB equipment will be deployed in the Fuqing Nuclear Power Project in Fujian and the Haiyan Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Project in Zhejiang, both constructed by CNPE. The latest joint effort from ABB and CNNC further promotes China’s nuclear power development, following their cooperation on such projects as the Qingshan Nuclear Power Plant Phase II, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, and the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Phase II Expansion project.

Head of the Power Products division of the ABB North Asia Region and ABB China Bernd Muehe said, “the continued cooperation between ABB and CNNC demonstrates our product and technology strength in the nuclear power are well recognized by our customers. The project reflects ABB’s market leadership in nuclear power and the power industry as a whole. We will leverage ABB’s advanced power technology, complete product portfolio and comprehensive engineering services to continuously support China’s nuclear power development, helping to utilize this sustainable clean energy in a safe and efficient way.”

ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co., Ltd. and ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co., Ltd. will provide equipment to the CNNC’s projects. The two local companies are important global manufacturing and R&D bases for ABB’s low and medium-voltage switchgears and have successfully passed China’s comprehensive capacity review for design, manufacturing, testing and technical service for nuclear-level switchgear equipment in 2006. The two companies have engaged in a number of domestic nuclear projects and won recognition for their quality products and outstanding services. They have closely worked with customers on technology seminars and workshops to share their experience in equipment operation and maintenance. In addition, both companies are ranked among “China’s Top 100 Electric Companies”. ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co., Ltd. is one of the largest manufacturers of medium-voltage switchgears and circuit breakers in the world and ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co., Ltd. is one of the largest global manufactures of low-voltage equipment.

As the leading supplier in the clean energy sector, ABB boasts outstanding technical and product advantages in the nuclear power field and has supplied a full range of power and control equipment, systems and solutions to many nuclear power facilities around the globe, helping customers to use nuclear energy safely and efficiently. ABB has consistently supported China’s nuclear power development for many years, working actively to promote technology transfer and localized production of nuclear power products. ABB is the market leader in the low and medium-voltage switchgear sector of China’s nuclear market and has become a key partner and supplier for the country’s nuclear development. To date, ABB has participated in a number of key State-level nuclear power projects in China, including the Qinshan Nuclear Power Phase II and PII Expansion, the Lianyungang Tianwan Nuclear Power Phase I, the Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant, the Fujian Ningde Nuclear Power Plant and the Guangdong Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant.

Nuclear power provides clean and efficient renewable energy. As one of the priorities in China’s energy strategy, nuclear power development is an important step in optimizing and upgrading China’s energy structure to meet the country’s growing energy demand from economic and social development and achieve sustainable development. According to the National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC) forecast in the Nuclear Power Mid-/Long-term Development Plan 2005-2020, China’s nuclear power installed capacity will be 40 million KW by 2020 with annual power generation of 260-280 billion KWH.

The China National Nuclear Corporation is a large State-owned enterprise, set up with the approval of the State Council. Consisting of over 100 SOEs and research institutes, the CNNC is responsible for R&D, construction, production, operation, international economic cooperation, and the import/export business of the nuclear military industry, nuclear power, nuclear fuel and nuclear application technology. The Zhejiang Haiyan Fangjiashan and Fujian Fuqing nuclear plants are key projects of CNNC. The Fuqing Plant will install six 1000 MW units with the first unit expected to start operation in 2013; Fangjiashan is the expansion project of Phase I Qinshan, the first nuclear plant in China. The Fangjiashan Nuclear Plant operates two 1000 MW units.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 15,000 employees, 27 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 60 cities. To find out more about ABB in China, visit www.abb.com.cn.