Ducab and Etihad ESCO lay foundation for solar growth at WETEX 2019

Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad ESCO) announced the signing of an agreement with Ducab, one of the UAE’s largest manufacturing businesses, on the sidelines of the 21st Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), with an aim to support the UAE’s solar energy sector’s growth. The new contract will see Ducab supply its SolarBICC cables—specially designed for a growing solar energy market— to Etihad ESCO for its in-house solar power plant, contributing to the company’s sustainability vision by diversifying its own energy sources. Upon completion, the project is set to generate an annual savings of 3,251,900 KWh in energy, which is equivalent to AED 1,447,095. The duration of the project is 8 months.

The signing ceremony took place on the first day of WETEX 2019, during which Andrew Shaw, Managing Director of Ducab, and Ali Al Jassim, CEO of Etihad ESCO, reaffirmed their organizations’ commitments to making solar power more accessible to more people across the UAE. Etihad ESCO LLC’s solar power project is expected to go live from February 2020. In close coordination with Ducab, Etihad ESCO LLC has appointed Belectric Shams Consortium as Engineering Procurement and Construction contractor for the project.

Ali Al Jassim, CEO of Etihad ESCO, said: “Our latest partnership with Ducab aligns with our commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant market for energy performance contracts. This contributes to the strategic goal of the UAE in pursuing a green economy for sustainable development, by making Dubai a model of a green economy transition. Choosing a UAE manufacturer – Ducab – to supply a crucial element of the project further supports our commitment to a sustainable future.”

“Solar power is one of the fastest-growing sources of new energy worldwide,” said Dr Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Chairman of Ducab. “It is a public priority in the UAE and plays a strong role in Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. With this in mind, we developed our specialised SolarBICC cable range specifically to meet the unique needs of this expanding market. We are pleased to provide our cables to Etihad ESCO LLC for the solar power project, playing our part in the continued diversification of the UAE’s energy sector.” 

Ducab has worked closely with solar power project developers in the UAE in support of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the nation’s ambitions for a thriving renewable energy sector. Its SolarBICC cables portfolio is dedicated to the needs of the sector and helps to realize more efficient and powerful energy infrastructure. 

Owned equally by Abu Dhabi’s General Holding Corporation (Senaat) and Investment Corporation Dubai (ICD), Ducab has consistently remained at forefront of delivering advanced manufacturing products to meet the unique requirements of numerous industrial sectors. Ducab cables are all designed and produced within the UAE, reducing the traditional need for construction companies to rely on international suppliers to source their cabling requirements. The transition to a local supply chain in recent years has provided infrastructure companies with the ability to pursue their smart city projects faster, more securely and in the most cost-effective manner.