POWER and automation technology provider ABB will upgrade a power substation for Rio Tinto to increase production capacity at the miner’s Pilbara sites.
The $5.9m upgrade contract will see a new gas turbine integrated into the 33kV substation with gas insulated switchgear. The substation is located at the Paraburdoo iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The substation upgrade is part of the Paraburdoo 33 kV Rationalisation Project, which is a component of Rio Tinto’s Power System Upgrade Project. The goal of the project is to progressively add new generating capacity to provide for increased demand caused by various mine expansion projects.
The substation project involves upgrading the existing outdoor 33kV air insulated switchgear (AIS) with indoor Zx1.2 gas insulated switchgear (GIS). The upgrade will enable a new gas turbine to be integrated into the existing power grid.
According to the contractor, the upgraded switchgear technology will increase operator safety and reduce the number and frequency of maintenance related outages.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2009.

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