ABB and FEN team up to land reliable power supply for Mexico City’s newest airport

Reliable and safe power supply at Mexico City’s newest airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA), which opened in March 2022, has been guaranteed thanks to a partnership between ABB and original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Fabricante Eléctrico Nacional (FEN).

The solution, featuring 42 state-of-the-art solid insulating switchgears, relies on ABB’s vacuum interrupter technology that acts as a reliable switching solution. This ensures stable and consistent electrical power, critical to the smooth running of an airport that last year transported over 2.5 million passengers.

Located about 50km north of Mexico City in Zumpango and covering an area of 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), the new aviation hub was built to ease the pressure on Mexico City International Airport and FEN was commissioned to design and manufacture the state-of-the-art solid insulating switchgears.

Varying in configurations from three to six ways, the switchgears have been integral to ensuring uninterrupted power supply at AIFA, with ABB’s VG10s key to delivering the end customer’s KPIs of reliability, longevity and efficiency.

Compact, robust and proven across an installed base of more than 8 million, the VG10 is designed to withstand extreme demands over a lifespan of at least 30 years without the need for maintenance. It also offers outstanding dielectric properties, allowing it to meet the highest electrical requirements within different switching devices.

Bernardo Zevada, Director of Engineering at FEN, explains: “ABB’s role extended way beyond supplying the VG10 interrupters; they provided invaluable technical support, shared expert insights, and ensured a seamless integration process. This collaboration was instrumental in overcoming the unique challenges of the project, reinforcing our ability to deliver under stringent conditions.

“The project stands as a proud symbol of FEN’s capabilities in high-stakes, large-scale electrical projects and our partnership with ABB was a cornerstone of this success, providing us with the tools and support to realize our vision.”

Since its three runways started operations two years ago, AIFA has experienced zero downtime thanks to the superior reliability and efficiency of the switchgears.

ABB Global Portfolio Manager, Andreas Brandt, says: “We’re incredibly proud that for the past two years, all of the power at Mexico’s second largest airport has been running reliably and efficiently through ABB components, resulting in unparalleled electrical stability. As passenger numbers continue to go up, we’re excited to demonstrate the robustness of the solution, which we are confident will come into its own as the airport’s electrical demands increase. Our partnership with FEN is a great example of how we can bring our state-of-the-art vacuum interrupter technology to more customers in mission-critical industries where dowtime is simply not an option.”