Dubai - February 19th, 2012: In a move to accelerate the introduction of world-class high voltage technology to the UAE, Ducab HV has signed a collaboration agreement with J-Power Systems Corporation (JPS), an equally owned joint venture of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Hitachi Cable, Ltd., covering all areas of high voltage cable technology.  Ducab-HV is the joint venture between Ducab (50%), DEWA (25%) and ADWEA (25%) to manufacture high voltage cable systems.

"The inauguration and launch of Ducab HV in November 2011 was a defining moment in our mission to supply regional and international markets with world class high voltage cable systems designed to exacting standards and stringently quality tested," said Jon Vail, CEO, Ducab HV. "We are now furthering our commitment to the rapid delivery of excellent HV products by partnering with J-Power Systems, one of the world's leading companies in HV technology."

HV and EHV projects require the most advanced cable technology as well as proven joints and terminations to complete the system. The quality and reliability of each component in the entire system is critical to the success of projects. "Due to the exacting nature of this business, our customers want to see a proven track record of success. For a new company, this creates barriers to entry that we will overcome through this collaboration," added Vail.

Hitachi Cable and Sumitomo Electric, JPS' founding partners, have been leading high voltage cable technology since the 1960's are involved in supplying projects up to 500kV both in Japan and the rest of the world, including significant projects in the Middle East. They formed JPS by spinning off their high voltage power cable divisions in 2001. Ducab HV's collaboration, which came after a detailed evaluation of all the qualified international cable companies, extends up to the 400 kV range, which is the highest voltage in use in the UAE.  "We are very happy to enter this agreement with Ducab HV, and look forward to working together to transfer expertise and knowledge to the UAE to ensure that Ducab-HV products meet the highest international standards," said Mr Fukunaga, President, J-Power Systems.

Technology transfer is a key part of the agreement and will take place through a combination of Ducab HV engineering teams visiting Japan, as well as experienced JPS engineers' stationed in the UAE to train Ducab HV staff. The knowledge and technology transfer will cover all aspects of HV cable manufacture.

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About Ducab:
Ducab is jointly owned by public sector entities Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and General Holding Corporation (GHC), (50% each) and has one of the most modern manufacturing units in the region. It occupies an area of 590,000 square meters of land in Jebel Ali, Dubai and nearly 330,000 square meters in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi spread over 2 factories. Today, the Ducab Group has the capability of producing over 105,000 copper tonnes equivalent of low voltage, medium and high voltage cables, emerging as the leader and the first choice of prestigious customers in the Middle East. The Ducab Group's product range covers High Voltage cables up to 400kV, Ducab Powerplus Medium Voltage cables up to 33kV, Low Voltage power cables, control & auxiliary, wiring and lead-sheathed cables, Ducab-Smokemaster- Low Smoke and Fume cables, and FLAMBICC  (Fire Resistance Cables), cable components and cable accessories, as well as copper rod that Ducab manufacture in their own copper rod plant.

Ducab is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company and also has certification to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety issued by BASEC (British Approval Services for Cables).   Ducab cables are also approved by the Loss Prevention Certificate Board (LPCB) and Lloyd's Register, UK. These certifications are the latest in a string of recognitions achieved by the company, including a two time winner of Gulf Excellence Award, two time winner of Dubai Quality Award, Gold category 2004 & 1998.

In 2009 Ducab was honoured with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Business Excellence Award for their achievements in the manufacturing sector; this award ceremony was in the presence of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Ducab has also won other awards such as the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) Chairman's Award for Outstanding Economic Value Creation in the Industrial Sector.

About Ducab-HV:
Ducab-HV is a joint venture between Ducab (50%), DEWA (25%) and ADWEA (25%) to manufacture and sell cable systems in the voltage range 66kV (66,000 Volts) to 400kV (400,000 Volts) covering the highest voltage currently used in the GCC. It is the first dedicated HV facility in the region, and covers a built area of 30,000m2 on a 93,000m2 premises at the Ducab Jebel Ali site.

The plant's most prominent characteristic is a 148m tower housing state of the art extrusion equipment designed to ensure that the very high voltage products are manufactured to the highest standards necessary to provide faultless service.  The tower, thought to be the tallest industrial tower in the GCC, also contains a series of Clean Room facilities in the top levels to ensure no contamination of the critical cable insulation. 

Ducab-HV was announced during WETEX in April 2009, with a ground breaking ceremony in November 2009 attended by HH Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Majed Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. A CEO was appointed in March 2010, and the tower completion ceremony took place in November 2010 in the presence of Saeed Al Tayer, Saeed Al Darmaki, Ahmed Al Sheikh, Abubaker Al Khouri and Tariq Khansaheb.

© Press Release 2012