Ducab supplies power cables for the landmark solar power project 'Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park'

Ducab, one of the largest manufacturers of power cables and copper products in the Middle East, was the preferred power cables and connectors supplier for the 'Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park' project. The progress of the project was constantly tracked by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in order to ensure that commissioning deadlines were met, after which the plant was opened by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai on 22nd October 2013 to mark World Energy Day.

Phase I of the MBR Solar Park will generate 13MW of electricity, and is expected to accommodate solar power plants ultimately generating 1,000 MW of power. In addition, other facilities will form part of the development, such as an R&D Centre and an Academic Centre for Innovation.

The first phase of the park was completed on time, thanks to a close collaboration between Ducab and First Solar (FSLR) of the United States who were tasked with constructing this landmark development. Ducab began supplying cabling for this project back in July 2013, and in total provided Dh10.8 million worth of 33kV MV, LV Power & Control and Grounding Cables for the project.

The MBR Solar Park is the first such plant in the Middle East, and Ducab worked very closely in supporting the project team since its inception in January 2012. Ducab gave particularly attention to technical advice and solutions and on time cable deliveries, especially in cases of extreme urgency for the executors of the project, which is located in Seih Al Dahal on the Dubai-Al Ain road.

Speaking about the MBR Solar Park, the General Manager for Sales & Marketing at Ducab, Colin McKay, had the following to say: "The project is one of the most important components of Dubai's strategy to diversify energy sources in the Emirate, as it is expected to provide 1 percent of total solar energy production by 2020 and 5 percent by 2030. Generating energy using photovoltaic (PV) panels, the park aims to promote the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE in providing carbon-free renewable energy".

McKay continued: "The MBR Solar Park is considered a particularly important project as it will contribute to the generation of renewable energy and it is expected that the energy generated will enable savings in CO2 production of 15,000 metric tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 2,000 cars from the road every year. In addition to the advantages related to CO2, the plant will also help avoid the annual consumption of approximately 32,000 metric tonnes of water per year, which is required by conventional energy plants."

He stated: "Ducab will contribute positively to such initiatives and pilot projects through the supply of special cables for renewable power generation, considered a key development in the region."

"This project is one of the largest renewable energy projects in the area and one of the most important and ambitious development projects seeking to contribute towards the achievement of the UAE Vision 2021. The project will play a significant part in strengthening Dubai's leading position as an international financial, trade and tourism hub. This is in addition to the consolidation of Sheikh Mohammed's initiative 'A green economy for sustainable development'. The project will also have a prominent role in providing new development projects in Dubai, especially the Expo2020 site," added the General Manager for Sales & Marketing at Ducab.

He also hopes that Ducab will build their credibility through many future supply contracts for power cables which are used in solar power plants. This is due to the trend of the region's countries to establish more plants of this nature. This will open up new markets for the company's power cabling and wiring products, and Ducab will focus significantly in the coming period on entering into partnerships with organisations that seek the production of solar energy. Ducab's high-quality cables have also received an excellent customer satisfaction rating recently, which exceeded their expectations.

McKay pointed out that the MBR Solar Park project has marked the first collaboration between Ducab and First Solar, which Ducab hopes and anticipates will establish similar successful cooperation between the two parties in the future.

Source: Ducab