Prysmian Cables & Systems wins $171M Middle East contract

November 28, 2005 Milan, Italy -- Prysmian Cables & Systems has been awarded a $171 million contract by the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA)for a high voltage AC submarine interconnection between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. According to a press release, Prysmian will provide a turnkey project including engineering, manufacturing, and laying of 120 km of submarine cable and 24 km of underground cable, with a transmission capacity of 1200 MW and 400 kV AC.

The whole project, valued at more than $343 million, has been awarded to a consortium, led by Prysmian, and including Nexans. The Prysmian cables will be manufactured at the company's Arco Felice plant in Naples, Italy. Project completion is expected by February 2010. Under the contract's terms, Prysmian will produce and install a significant portion of the oil filled cables interconnection linking the Al Jasra (Bahrain) and Ras Qurray (Saudi Arabia) sub stations, passing through Umman Na'san Island.

"We regard this prestigious contract as a recognition of our ongoing commitment to technological innovation and customer orientation, and are proud and delighted to have been selected by GCCIA, one of the most respected worldwide authorities for Interconnection," comments Valerio Battista, CEO of Prysmian.