The new contract for Trains 4 and 5 builds on ABB’s role in the first phase of NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project.
In July 2023, NextDecade took the final investment decision on the first three Rio Grande LNG trains.
In September and October last year, NextDecade made the final investment decisions on the fourth and fifth trains at its Rio Grande LNG facility.
This brings the total expected LNG production capacity under construction at Rio Grande LNG to approximately 30 mtpa.
Under the new contract, ABB will deploy an automation platform that supports “safe, efficient, and reliable operations” as the plant moves toward its full production capacity of up to 30 mtpa.
ABB said in a statement that the new orders were booked in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
The scope includes deployment of an integrated control and safety system comprising ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system, emergency shutdown, and fire and gas systems.
ABB will also supply medium-voltage drives, synchronous motors, transformers, motor controllers and switchgear.
The orders also include local equipment buildings – two for Train 4 and one for Train 5 – housing critical control and electrical systems in prefabricated modules to streamline installation and commissioning on site
ABB did not provide pricing details for the contract.
NextDecade expects to start LNG production at the first train of its Rio Grande LNG terminal in the first half of 2027.
In addition to these trains, NextDecade initiated the pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Train 6 in November 2025.
The company expects to file a full application for Train 6 by mid-year and to advance the development of Trains 7 and 8 throughout the year.
