Ducab-HV’s high-tech plant at Jebel Ali, Dubai, the region’s tallest industrial tower, has officially opened for the production of high voltage cables.

The factory, built at a cost of Dh500 million ($136 million), is 148 m tall, roughly the height of a 44-storey residential tower. It will yield cable systems in the voltage range of 66 kV to 400 kV fulfilling the GCC region’s highest voltage requirements, a Ducab-HV statement said.

Ducab-HV is a joint venture between the governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The plant is the first dedicated HV facility in the region and covers a built area of 30,000 sq m, the statement said. It will increase Ducab’s production capacity by 15,000 tonnes of conductor. In addition to extrusion equipment the tower contains a series of clean room facilities to ensure no contamination occurs during production. 

“When fully operational, the factory will also generate 130 new jobs, which means more opportunities to hire and develop UAE nationals,” remarked Ahmad Al Shaikh, chairman of Ducab and Ducab-HV.

“Ducab-HV products will cover the highest voltages used in the GCC region, ensuring that our utility partners and other customers can source vital energy infrastructure cables from a local supplier,” he said, adding that Ducab-HV would benefit the UAE economy by offering an excellent quality alternative to imports.

Ducab-HV will offer the latest in global HV technology to the UAE and the region, said Jon Vail, the chief executive officer of Ducab-HV.

“The plant is the most advanced facility and designed to ensure that the high voltage products are manufactured to the stringent quality standards demanded both regionally and internationally,” Vail noted.

“All products will be rigorously tested at the state-of-the-art high voltage laboratory, a specialised facility that also gives the capability for advanced research and development in high voltage systems,” he added.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the new factory at a ceremony attended by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.