On the sidelines of Middle East Energy 2022, Ashish Chaturvedy, head of marketing at Ducab Group, talks to Energy Review about the company’s strategic realignment to a full-service solutions provider, at a time when the energy transition to renewables is driving a re-think on global operating processes.

How is Ducab addressing the demand for alternative energy systems in the region and globally?

We've been operating in the energy space since 1979, and are doing so as a 100% UAE-owned company. While we have a rich legacy in the energy cables business, we are expanding beyond our position as a core cable and wires supplier to being a holistic solutions partner to the global energy market, managing turnkey projects for our customers.

We are not only procuring material from low-carbon origins, but we are supplying projects which are requiring and simultaneously producing renewable energies. We buy material for our own use from local and global players who are keeping an eye on their carbon footprint when they consume energy. In addition, we have installed a solar plant on-site to generate energy for our facilities to run our brands.

From a product point of view, we are constantly tailoring new product offerings within our portfolio. We started our alternative energy journey within the region by supplying to Barakah nuclear power plant. We then specially designed cable solutions for Shin Hanul one and two nuclear plants in South Korea. Today we are supplying nuclear power plants, solar parks, and the wind energy segment with unique solutions designed within Ducab. In the recent past, we have been supplying to signature projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) solar park with DEWA in Dubai, another solar park in Saudi Arabia, the Bannerton Solar park in Australia, the Galloper wind farm in the UK, and the Dhofar wind farm in Oman.

There's a full bouquet of services and solutions that we are offering, and that is how we've been actively growing our footprint in this sector. Going forward, we will also be working on green and blue hydrogen projects as and when they start getting implemented.

How is Ducab diversifying its offerings in the energy segment to become a full solutions business?

In terms of diversification, apart from being known as a cable service provider, we are also consciously trying to offer comprehensive solutions and services to wind, nuclear, and solar energy segments.

From our DMB metals division, we are already supplying value-added products in addition to the wire rod from our copper rod and aluminum rod plants. This includes special wires that find applications for automotive harnesses, can coating technology, and for electrical transformers. There's also a wide array of solutions that are offered by Ducab Group for the building construction industry, railways and mobility,  the oil and gas industry, mining, marine, and even shipbuilding. Additionally, we've added a new sector called the turnkey solutions business, which is offering solutions to our customers who may be looking for a reliable partner as an EPC contractor.

Let me give you an example. Recently we were awarded a project as part of a GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business electrification project in Iraq. Ducab participated in the GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 400kV overhead transmission line interconnecting Jordan and Qaim area in Iraq. This is being done in connection with a re-enforcement program for EPC, and the supply of substations and transmission lines (132kV/400kV) turnkey projects. Such projects are an example of how Ducab is moving to the next level of offering a complete array of solutions, apart from just supplying cables.

Please give us an idea about Ducab’s expansion strategy and growth outlook for 2022.

In terms of expansion, we are looking at a two-pronged strategy.

First is to diversify our product range from being a core cable and wires supplier to become providers of full solutions for transmission and utility businesses. We are equipped with the full set of solutions for this expansion.

We are also looking at geographic expansion. We are already supplying 45 countries from Australia right up to North America with not only cables but metals as well. In the future, we aim to reach other markets which have not been tapped in the past. This will include east Asian markets and African markets. That said, we will not lose sight of the regional markets which we are already supplying. We are keeping a big focus on the GCC markets as they continue to be the biggest consumers of our products and services.

Ultimately, we will continue to meet all our customers’ demands. We aim to expand not only in terms of new products—which are constantly being developed—but in new geographies as well.