First order in China in the strategic sector of Extra High Voltage power interconnections with a 500 kV link for China State Grid

Prysmian has been awarded a strategic contract in the sector of Extra High Voltage power transmission links in China. The Group will provide Anhui Xiangshuijian Pumped Storage Co. Ltd, a China State Grid affiliate company,with a 500 kV underground cable system. The project completion is due by January 2011 and will be a significant step for Prysmian to provide the Chinese market with technology developed locally.

With the purpose of a further strengthening in China in the growing sector of Extra High Voltage cable systems, Prysmian has also planned a further € 20 million investment to increase the production capacity in the Baoying manufacturing unit. The plant will be enlarged with the building of a new vertical tower for the production of extruded cables through VCV (Vertical Continuous Vulcanization) process, one of the ultimate technologies. The Baoying plant had already been enhanced in 2008 with an investment of approximately € 10 million and will become one of the most advanced cable factories in the country, when the second phase is completed.

To witness the commitment to strengthen the Italian presence in China in sectors with the most advanced level of technology and added value, the Italy-China Association chaired by Cesare Romiti has recently entrusted Prysmian with the China Award 2009 as “best Italian technology example in China.”

More specifically the new contract includes the supply and installation of a cable system consisting of 2,370 meters of extruded insulation (XLPE) 500 kV cables and 12 sets of GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) sealing-ends. The system will link the underground and ground Gas Insulated Switchgears in the Xiangshuijian hydroelectric power plant, located in the Anhui Province, between Nanjing and Shanghai, which has a total capacity of 1,000 MW.
“The value of this contract is for several million dollar but it is very strategic also because it opens the top end of the market characterized by a higher content of technology and we are investing in this field” says Paolo Bazzoni, CEO of Prysmian China. “China represents approximately 20% of the worldwide cable market, with growth expectations higher than the average. Recently, the Chinese Government has announced the construction of approximately 26,000 kilometers of new power lines and Prysmian is ready to seize these opportunities of development, thanks to the local investments made in recent years in terms of both technology and products as well as production capacity and human resources development.”