Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) awarded Dubai Cable Co. Pvt Ltd. (Ducab), the leading United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based cable manufacturer, a AED 16 million (US$4.4 million) contract for 300 km (186 miles) of 33-kV cables.

In response to its annual electricity load increase, FEWA is implementing fast-track projects that will upgrade the 33-kV distribution network throughout the Northern Emirates, according to Saeed Majid Al Shamsi, FEWA's general manager. “After evaluating its 300-km, 33-kV cable supply tender bid and inspecting Ducab's modern and state-of-the-art MV cable manufacturing facility in Jebel Ali, it was apparent that Ducab possesses access to leading-edge technologies in processing, manufacturing, engineering and materials.”

The new 33-kV is a larger size cable, with almost twice the capacity of the cable previously used, and will be installed underground by other cable installation contractors nominated by FEWA. The project commenced operation in 2001 and is estimated to be completed in 2003.

The 33-kV 1 core 500 mm² (0.77 inches² copper/XLPE/PVC cable will be used to replace the existing circuits that were installed with 33-kV 1c 240 mm² (0.37 inches²) cables. It also will be used for the 33-kV network expansion in the Northern Emirates.

The new 33-kV network would cover reinforcement of existing as well as expansion for the coming years, thus it will cover the increasing electricity power demand in the Northern Emirates and improve distribution reliability.
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