Dubai Cable Company Pvt Ltd (Ducab) has won an order worth over Dh 60 million ($16.33 million) from the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (Adwea) for the manufacture and supply of more than 500km of 33kV cables in 2003. This is the biggest single tender won by Ducab for the supply of cables to a regional power utility.

The contract, awarded against stiff competition from regional and global bidders, involves the supply of 33 kV XLPE cables to link seven new primary substations as part of Adwea's expansion and upgradation project in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi. The expansion project also envisages a major demand for 33kV cable, required to complete the fast-track power distribution network.

"Ducab's growing relationship with power utilities in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman has made a significant change in its business strategy," said Colin Paskins, its managing director. "The Adwea contract is a salute to the standards and professionalism that have been strongly implemented at Ducab. A prestigious order of this magnitude successfully consolidates Ducab's position as a name to be reckoned with in the cable manufacturing industry. The support and encouragement provided by the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai has also contributed greatly to the company's impressive growth."

Adwea follows a systematic procedure to pre-qualify, shortlist and select bidders in order to ensure that the projects are implemented along global standards and bring long-term benefits to its consumers.

"This order also holds special significance for the local manufacturing industry, which is constantly under pressure to compete with international organisations who have proven high standards," said Farid Mohammed Ahmed, Ducab's general manager for sales and marketing. "The board of director's decision in 2001 to expand the manufacturing capacity by adding the second CCV line has put Ducab in a stronger position to bid for major projects.