OREANDA-NEWS. United Company RUSAL, the world's largest producer of aluminium and alumina, and JSC HydroOGK, the Russian leader in the renewable energy sector, announced on October 22 that French energy company AREVA would supply electrical equipment for the Boguchansk aluminium smelter, RUSAL's press-service informs.

Under the terms of the agreement with UC RUSAL and JSC HydroOGK, AREVA will produce and supply two silicon rectifier substations and a gas insulated dispenser system. The equipment is designed for the Boguchansk smelter electricity distribution substation and will convert alternating current into direct current. The contract is valued in excess of EURO 90 million (approximately USD 130 million).

The Boguchansk smelter is expected to have production capacity of 600,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum when completed in 2011. The smelter will have new RA 300 electrolytic cells installed - UC RUSAL's proprietary technology that is already used at the Company's Khakas aluminium smelter. The Boguchansk smelter is part of the large-scale Boguchanskoye energy and metals complex construction project, including the completion of 3 000 MW Hydro Power Plant (HPP) on the Angara river. UC RUSAL and HydroGOK will finance the project on a parity basis.

JSC HydroOGK is Russia's largest hydro generating company. HydroOGK unites 49 Russian hydropower stations with the overall capacity of approximately 24 GW. Every 14th kW/h in Russia in 2006 was produced by HydroOGK's hydropower plants.

With manufacturing facilities in 41 countries and a sales network in more than 100 countries, AREVA offers its customers reliable technological solutions for CO2-free power generation and electricity transmission and distribution. The company employs 61,000 people. AREVA's T&D division is an active player around the globe. It designs, manufactures and supplies a complete range of equipment, systems and services for all stages in the transfer of electricity, from a generator to the large end-user.