Italy's Prysmian Secures Power Transmission Contract in Qatar

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Prysmian SpA (BIT:PRY) (Milan, Italy) has secured a $64 million turnkey contract to develop a power transmission project in Doha, Qatar, for the submarine cable venture of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Doha). The venture includes the commissioning of extra-high voltage power cables of 440 kilovolts (kV) along a 66-kilometer stretch consisting of three circuits of 22 kilometers each and associated services. The project is the first of its kind in Qatar and is scheduled to begin construction this year, becoming operational by late 2010.

Prysmian has already commenced work on the $228 million contract that the company secured in 2008 to develop a high voltage underground cable system in Doha. As part of the agreement, Prysmian, along with Nexans SA (EPA:NEX) (Paris, France), will design and implement a 161-kilometer high/extra-high voltage transmission system. The cable network is part of the eighth phase of Qatar's Power Transmission Expansion Program. The network consists of 131 kilometers of 220-kV and 77 kilometers of 132-kV cables spanning several circuits, as well as related accessories. The cables will be manufactured at Prysmian's submarine cable plant in Arco Felice, Italy. The project is expected to be completed by January 2010.

Both projects consist of a range of functions from engineering, procurement and terrain surveys to construction, installation and commissioning of cables, which will showcase Prysmian's experience in delivering integrated turnkey transmission solutions.

Qatar is currently strengthening its infrastructure and power sectors in a bid to increase its grid capacity in order to meet industrial and domestic power consumption.

Prysmian is involved in a few other ventures in the Middle East, including the supply and installation of high voltage cables for Emirates Aluminum Company Limited (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) at the firm's smelter in Abu Dhabi. Prysmian is also developing transmission lines in Fujairah and Doha, industrial cables for gas field projects for Pearl GTL and Ras Laffan Gasfield Downstream Development in Qatar, fire protection cables for Burj Tower in Dubai and submarine cables to link Palm Island in Dubai with Logo Island. Prysmian is also working on the construction of a submarine power link between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority. With its present ventures in the Middle East, Prysmian is fast emerging as a major utilities partner in the region.

Prysmian is a leading player in high-tech transmission systems pertaining to the telecommunication and energy sectors, with sales exceeding $6.98 billion in 2008. The company enjoys a global presence with subsidiaries across 35 countries, 54 plants and seven research and development throughout the world.

In 2005, Prysmian acquired the Energy Cables and Systems and Telecom Cables and Systems activities of Pirelli & C. SpA (BIT:PC) (Milan) to establish Prysmian Cables and Systems.

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