Prysmian Cables & Systems Wins $171 (USD) Million Contract In Middle East

Published 22nd November 2005

40km submarine interconnection system to link the transmission lines of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain...

Milan, 21 November 2005
Prysmian Cables & Systems has been awarded a $171 (USD) million contract by GCCIA (Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority) for a high voltage AC submarine interconnection between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Prysmian, formerly Pirelli Cables & Systems, will provide a turnkey project including engineering, manufacturing and laying of 120km of submarine cable and 24km of underground cable, with a transmission capacity of 1200 MW and 400 kV AC.

The whole project, valued at more than $343 (USD) million, has been awarded to a consortium, led by Prysmian and including Nexans.

Prysmian will produce and install a significant portion of the oil filled cables interconnection linking Al Jasra (Bahrain) and Ras Qurray (Saudi Arabia) sub stations, passing through Umman Na’san Island.

The Prysmian cables will be manufactured in the Arco Felice plant (Naples - Italy) and project completion is expected by February 2010.

This project represents a major step forward for better system of interconnection, providing the opportunity to move energy from country to country, depending on demand, thus reducing significantly the possibility of black-outs. It confirms Prysmian’s worldwide leadership position in the energy cable business; a new name in the arena with more than 130 years of history and worldwide success.

Prysmian has been awarded this contract after recently securing the Neptune project in USA – for the interconnection between New Jersey and New York – which at $196 (USD) million is the largest contract in the energy cables market signed in 2005. Furthermore Prysmian is currently nearing completion of the “Basslink” project – the world’s longest interconnection system between the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania, and “Spain-Morocco II” which will double the existing system - installed by Prysmian in 1997 - between the electric systems of the two countries.

Mr Valerio Battista, CEO of Prysmian says, “We regard this prestigious contract as a recognition of our ongoing commitment to technological innovation and customer orientation – built over a period of 130 years - and are proud and delighted to have been selected by GCCIA, one of the most respected worldwide authorities for Interconnection.”

PRYSMIAN CABLES & SYSTEMS
Prysmian Cables & Systems is a world-class multinational company. Originally founded in 1872 as Pirelli & C., it has achieved a leading position for more than a century of operations in its two key international markets - ”Energy Cables and Systems” and ”Telecom Cables & Systems”.

Prysmian Cables and Systems is the world’s largest manufacturer of power and telecommunications cables, with 52 manufacturing facilities in 21 countries in five continents and a market share in excess of 10%.

Prysmian Energy Cables and Systems is a global solutions provider, offering a wide range of integrated solutions, such as cable systems, system design and engineering, project management, installation and post-sale services.

Prysmian Energy Cables and Systems concentrate on continuous product innovation and on achieving a competitive edge by focusing on research and development. This is done through Prysmian’s own R&D centres and by co-operating with universities, scientific institutions and above all, our customers. Prysmian’s world-wide organisation makes and delivers advanced technological solutions to customers anywhere in the world.

Prysmian Contact: Paolo Perazzi – Marketing & Communication - (tel. +39-02-64495072; paolo.perazzi@prysmian.com)