INSIGHT- High-tech primacy offsets the impact of weak markets

EDIToRIAL CoLUMN With the worsening of the crisis in Europe’s construction industry, an additional reduction in energy consumption, new uncertainties surrounding renewables and broadband stimulus in the Americas, 2013 began on a difficult note. Against this backdrop, Prysmian Group managed to limit the impact of this negative context in the first quarter by focusing on high value-added businesses and launched a series of initiatives to protect profitability. But future growth and revenue rely also in innovation. In this issue INSIGHT looks into the Research & Development excellence at Prysmian Group, whose advanced proprietary technologies, thousands of patents and hundreds of skilled professionals are the best guarantee against economic uncertainties.  Prysmian Group believes that fibre networks are keys for sustainable economic growth at a global level and that they are vital for revamping the sluggish economy of Europe. This is why Prysmian is strongly committed to leading the drive towards the goal of a fibre-connected Europe, both as the leader in the sector and as part of efforts by institutions, associations and fellow industry leaders to push superfast broadband connections. While investing in the future through innovation and supporting efforts to spread broadband across Europe, Prysmian Group continues to be awarded new major contracts: in this issue we report on the project DolWin3, worth in excess of €350 million, awarded by Alstom Grid to Prysmian for the linking of offshore wind farms in the North Sea to mainland Germany. Editorial Team - INSIGHT Editorial INSIGHT is the quarterly review of Prysmian  Group created and published by the Corporate  & Business Communications Dept. For information:[email protected] Contents Quarterly overview High-tech primacy offsets theimpact of weak markets  3 Group sales and EBITDA easedin the quarter  4 Utilities posted increasein profitability  5 Focus on Why R&D mattersat Prysmian Group  6 Adding value through innovation  7 Global scenario The FTTH Council to push forthe broadband  8 Fibre networks ‘key’ forrevamping EU Economy  9 Doing business Submarine excellence  10 Cabling a US Carrier  10 Getting things done Prysmian Turkey in cable education campaign  11 Worldwide News from Prysmian Group   12

3  Prysmian Group Insight High-tech primacy  offsets the impact of weak markets In the  first quarter  of 2013  Prysmian Group managed to limit the impact of a negative market context by focusing on high value-added businesses, such as power transmission cables and systems, which continued to perform well. The quarter was in fact affected by the worsening of the crisis in Europe’s construction industry, by the additional contraction in energy consumption and by the uncertainties surrounding renewable energy and broadband stimulus plans in North and South America, which led to a drop in global cable demand.  Nevertheless,  Prysmian Group  managed to limit the impact of this negative context by focusing on high value-added businesses,  such as power  Prysmian Group has launched new commercial initiatives and actions focused on leveraging the extensive range of products which are expected to drive a significant contribution from additional sales by 2015. The Industrial business is expected to deliver over €200 million in additional sales resulting from the development of several applications – including Specialties & OEM, Oil & Gas and Elevators – while the Telecom business is expected to deliver approximately    € 200 million additional sales from  hybrid 4G cables, access networks & connectivity, multimedia solutions and optical ground wire. To address the further reduction in demand and of defending the Group’s profitability, measures to contain costs have been stepped up, along with new actions to rationalise and optimise the structure. QUARTERLY oVERVIEw New initiatives  to defend  profitability Full year Adj. EBITDA forecasted in the range of €600-€650 million transmission cables and systems, which continue to perform well. With the goal of supporting medium-term profitability, the Group has also launched a series of commercial initiatives aimed at increasing sales in the most profitable segments of the Industrial and Telecom businesses, by leveraging our extensive product portfolio. Along with these measures, Prysmian is stepping up efforts to contain costs and rationalise our organizational and manufacturing structure, allowing to up the target synergies from integration with Draka to €175 million by 2015, from the original target of € 150 million. Based on this scenario,  the Group is forecasting full-year adjusted EBITDA in the range of € 600-€650 million. Leverage on additional synergies and transmission to face new bottom in cyclical businesses 2013 Outlook - Profitability recovery expected next quarters FY 2013 Adj. EBITDA Target (€ mln) H1 2013E H2 2013E 308 H1 2012 H1 2013E 600 650 • Worsening of  cyclical businesses in Europe • Weak telecom  performance due to  lower demand in US  and South America • Strong decrease in Renewables 339 H1 2012 H1 2013E • Continuous weakness in European cyclical  businesses • Growing contribution  from Transmission • Recovery in Telecom • Improving performance in Industrial • Higher cost synergies

QUARTERLY oVERVIEw Group sales and EBITDA eased in the quarter 4  Prysmian Group Insight In the first quarter of 2013 Group Sales amounted to €1,711 million, compared with €1,874 million in the first quarter 2012. The Energy business suffered from the general decline in volumes for building wires and for renewables, only partially offset by strong performance in the power transmission market, particularly by the submarine cables business line. The Telecom business recorded a drop in demand for optical cables in the American continent because of the ending of broadband stimulus plans in North America and the temporary suspension of similar plans in South America, which are expected to recover in the next few quarters. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to € 115 million, compared with €130  million in the corresponding period of 2012. The integration with Draka has enabled the Group to reduce its cost structure, and so limit the impact of poor performance by  the Energy business’s lower value-added segments and by the Telecom business as a whole. Net financial charges reported a negative balance of €47 million, compared to €28 million in the corresponding prior-year period. The increase of € 19 million is due to a number of  extraordinary non-monetary effects, mostly connected with the partial refinancing of the Term Loan by issuing the convertible equity-linked bond. Adjusted net profit amounted to €39 million, down from €45 million in the first quarter of 2012. Net financial position at the end of March 2013 amounted to €1,213 million, compared with €918 million at 31 December 2012 (down from € 1,273 million at 31 March 2012),  having been affected by the positive cash flow from operating activities of €72 million and the negative impact of €351 million from changes in working capital, mainly due to the seasonality of the business. New upgrade in synergies plan with additional actions to face the continuous downturn Synergies target increased – Increasing efforts on production rationalization Update on Synergies Plan 2011-15 (€ mln) FY11 Target FY11 Achieved FY12 Target FY12 Achieved FY13 Target FY14 Achieved FY15 Old Target FY15 New Achieved • Strong decrease in cyclical  demand require new actions to limit  overcapacity in Europe • Selective production rationalization to  improve ROCE in  cyclical segments • Additional synergies mainly generated in Operations Overheads (Fixed costs) 46 120 250 650 10 45 100 125-150 150 65 13 6 30 60-70 60-70 30 5 7 175 30-40 40-60 30-40 70-80 Procurement Operations Restructuring costs Demand for building  wires and renewables  still under pressure in  Europe Positive performance  for submarine cables  and systems  Reduced demand for  optical cables in the  Americas Profitability expected  to recover in next  quarters FY 2012 results presentation

5  Prysmian Group Insight QUARTERLY oVERVIEw Utilities posted increase in profitability Optical demand expected to gradually recover in coming quarters Energy Sales by the Energy Cables and Systems business amounted to €1,418 million compared with €1,528 million in the first quarter 2012, while Adjusted EBITDA amounted to €91 million, compared with €95 million in the first quarter 2012. Sales by the  Utilities  business  amounted to €491 million, recording a 2.3% organic increase.The positive performance reported by the submarine cables business line helped completely neutralize poor performance by other business lines, such as Power Distribution in Europe. The improvement in sales mix, with a larger proportion of high value-added submarine projects, has allowed adjusted EBITDA to increase to €49 million from €46 million in the first quarter 2012. While sales by the high voltage underground line reported a generally stable trend, sales by the submarine cables and systems business line increased thanks to the execution of interconnection and renewable energy projects acquired. The order book at the end of the first quarter 2013 further increased thanks to over €450 million new projects awarded (DolWin3, Deutsche Bucht, Normandie 3) and provides sales visibility for more than 3 years. Sales by the  Trade & Installers   business amounted to €470 million, posting a negative organic variation of 11.7% on the first quarter 2012. Construction industry demand showed further signs of contraction, in particular in southern Europe, following on from the decline already recorded in the second half of 2012. Adjusted EBITDA came to € 14 million. Sales by the  Industrial  business  amounted to €429 million, down by 4.9% organically. The weak start of the year for umbilicals and flexible pipes should be recovered in the umbilicals segment during coming quarters. Specialties & OEM and Elevator sales were up, along with profitability. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to €27 million, from €31 million on posted in the first quarter 2012. Telecom Sales by the Telecom Cables and Systems business amounted to €293 million, compared with €346 million in the first quarter 2012, due to the drastic decline in demand for optical cables in North and South America. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to €24 million. Incentive policies to stimulate investments have been suspended in the Americas, while a gradual recovery is expected in the new few quarters in Brazil, thanks to the new incentive plan introduced by the Government. Demand is also expected to pick up in China from the second quarter. In Europe, however, plans for investment in optical cabling by large telecom operators are still at a preliminary stage. The Multimedia Solutions business line continued its commercial expansion in South America and Australia, while OPGW performed well in Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

With 17 Research & Development Centres of Excellence, advanced proprietary technologies, more than 500 skilled professionals and over 5,600 patents granted or filed, Prysmian Group is equipped with best-in-class  R&D capabilities . A  number of programmes are in place to source ideas, share knowledge and create an innovative mindset, with the aim of achieving better and lower-cost products, as well as safer and sustainable solutions. Prysmian Group has long-established relationships with major universities and research centres, including the Polytechnic University in Milan, Trento’s Bruno Kessler Foundation in Italy, the University of Barcelona in Spain, the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and the University of Delft in Holland. A strict monitoring of every stage of production, from the procurement  6  Prysmian Group Insight foCUs oN why R&D matters at Prysmian Group A world leader in innovation and quality management  5,644 patents and patent applications throughout the world, covering 914 inventions (of which 258 in the Energy business and 656 in the Telecom business).  During 2012, 30 new patent applications were filed, split equally between the two business sectors, and 194 patents were granted after examination, of which 36 by the European Patent Office (EPO) and 49 in the United States.The most important products, typically distinguished by particular characteristics or a specific production process, are protected by trademarks that allow them to be identified and guarantee their uniqueness. At the end of 2012, the Prysmian Group also owned more than 3,000 trademarks in its countries of operation, covering its companies, activities, products and product lines. of raw materials to delivery of the finished product, has helped the company maintain its world-leading position and made significant contribution to the company’s continued success and improving profitability.  Protecting its portfolio of patents and trademarks is a key part of the Group’s business, particularly due to its strategy of growth in high-tech market segments. In particular, the Group’s intense R&D activities, in both the Energy and Telecom businesses, have allowed it to continue to increase its patent portfolio, especially in the high-tech and higher value-added segments, to support its major investments in these fields in recent years and to protect the related businesses, both now and in the future. As of 31 December 2012, the Prysmian Group had 

7  Prysmian Group Insight Adding value through innovation Innovation is essential for any high-tech large corporation with a global reach, as Prysmian Group is: how would you define the company approach to research & development comparedto competitors and to best practices worldwide? For us, innovation is the process of making and implementing changes by means of multi-functional and collective activities. It results in the introduction of new products, processes, and services that add value to customers and/or company and/or contributes to the knowledge store of the organisation. Prysmian Group boasts Centres of Excellence, advanced proprietary technologies, more than 550 skilled professionals and over 5,600 patents granted or filed: what is next to further improveits already top-class R&D capabilities? I think there are some key points that we need to improve. The process of technology transfer is one of them that will facilitate the product and compound rationalisation. Another important point is to complete the CA - Common Analysis implementation. The CA is our tool that defines standard rules for design, material and technology. foCUs oN why R&D matters at Prysmian Group Sustainability and eco-efficiency are at the top of the agendas of any R&D department across the world: can you mention a few examples of unique solutions created or being working at by Prysmian Group in these vital fields? Compounds based on renewable sources, along with smart grids solutions for increasing the efficiency of the system; the development of cables and systems for renewable energy; the optimization of cables and compound designs and the production technology; the reduction of scrap, fluids and energy consumption; these are some actions we are working on. Interview with Marcelo de Arujo Andrade, Prysmian Group R&D Director In 2012 Prysmian Group continued developing cables with recyclable thermoplastic insulation using  P-Laser  technology, carried out at the Delft facility  in the Netherlands. Values for the production of P-Laser cable and its end-of-life disposal, compared with traditional XLPE cable, show an equivalent 30% reduction in CO 2 , 40% less fossil consumption and  70/80% of water. Prysmian also partnered with the European E 2 PHEST 2 US project for developing a thermionic and thermoelectric solar unit working at temperatures far in excess of current ones with a thermal recovery system, which delivers significant savings in terms of fossil fuels. In the Telecoms business, the Group launched  BendBright XS , bend-resistant fibres, an innovative  solution  that reduces the installation and maintenance costs while lowering the  environmental impact: for  example, the LT 2.0 BB-XS family launched in the US as the next generation, large scale product. The exclusive technologies of Prysmian allow optical fibres to be protected by small tubes, resulting in reduced diameter and lighter cables, marked by a lower environmental impact. Green Products 

8  Prysmian Group Insight Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) has been talked about for decades, but it is nowadays shaping up to be the foundation of a new digital society. The increasing consumer demand for high-speed network accessibility is being taken more and more seriously by governments across Europe. The  FTTH Council  Europe  is an industry organisation  whose mission is to accelerate the availability of fibre-based, ultra-high speed access networks which boasts more than 150 members, Prysmian Group among them. A contracted team is working to promote the benefits of fibre access across the continent. At its General Assembly in Amsterdam the FTTH Council said that the organisation will evolve from “push” to “pull” in the years leading up to 2020. Instead of simply pushing messages and information to broadband stakeholders, it will also increasingly rely on the multiplier effect of its stakeholders. “The FTTH Council Europe is now recognised as a reliable source of information by a wide  GLoBAL sCENARIo The fTTH Council to  push for the broadband Tackling the tough topics of the infrastructure, such as financing range of players in Europe,”   said  Chairman  Karin Ahl.  “This means  that we can focus even further on addressing the tough topics, such as financing, to ensure that stakeholders have the information they need to make the right decisions.” The organisation will focus on four main objectives in 2013 and 2014. The first is bringing the European Commission, the regulators and the national policy makers back on the FTTH track, to ensure that future-proof fibre access infrastructure is put in place, rather than short-term, intermediate solutions. Secondly,  it will address the strategic issue of financing FTTH networks: there is money available for fibre infrastructure, but some common misunderstandings between investors and project owners need to be addressed, as fibre projects are often too small to be on the radar of the institutional investors. Third, prove and communicate the need for FTTH, so that consumers are informed of the advantages of fibre-based broadband. Fourth but not least, work on consolidating existing partnerships and developing further alliances with national or industry-focused organisations to multiply the impact of FTTH Council Europe’s messages.

9  Prysmian Group Insight Fibre networks “key” for revamping EU Economy GLoBAL sCENARIo As a leading player in the fibre industry, Prysmian Group firmly believes that investing in broadband networks is key to the revamping of the whole European economy, and a driving force for sustainable growth. That was the message delivered by the Group’s CEO, Valerio Battista, while addressing an audience of industry leaders and policy makers at the  FTTH Council Europe Conference in London. He highlighted that the impact of fibre is everywhere, and not only in the telecom industry. In fact, fibre can be used also in several different but equally vital fields. For instance, in improving the efficiency of power distribution and high voltage networks, or in smart grids, where a greater use of fibre can help to develop more efficient and sustainable power grids. Fibres are already utilized in power cables to monitor the power networks, to handle integrated control systems and to capture any minimal variance of all the parameters, cables and connectivity. Furthermore, in submarine energy, cables fibres are used to monitor the systems.  The most complete and advanced  products portfolio Prysmian Group’s products and solutions portfolio for the FTTH markets is possibly the most complete and advanced globally. It includes the RetractaNetXS end-to-end integrated solution for cost-effective FTTH networks, a complete solution that significantly reduces the cost of home connection of FTTH deployments. BendBrightXS bend-insensitive fibre, was used in a recent project in the Netherlands where the cost of FTTH installation in suburban and rural homes was brought down. The Prysmian portfolio covers all areas of the market – including long distance, submarine and metro systems – although the area of greatest activity at present is within the ‘last mile’ access networks for which Prysmian has developed the xsNet suite of products and systems which is also highly suitable for rural deployments of FTTH. xsNet addresses the passive access network and provides tailor-made solutions for all parts of the FTTx network – indoor, outside and POP applications. Prysmian Group presented its innovative solutions at the FTTH Conference and focused around the theme “From the Biggest Cities to the Smallest Communities”. Prysmian Group believes they are a driving force for sustainable growth And, of course, in the telecoms industry, fibre content is continuously increased in order to prepare and meet the bandwidth demands of the European consumers, which is growing all the time.  Superfast broadband access is a driver for economic growth in Europe: a study of the World Bank shows that 1.21 points of GDP growth in high-income areas and 1.38 points in low income ones are due to broadband. The creation of a FTTH network will help European industries become more competitive indeed, but a stronger commitment from governments and policy makers would be needed as they could play a major role by starting to digitise the entire bureaucratic, health and school systems, and help create a more modern and competitive economy and society. But, according to Mr. Battista, to create a true “big bang”, a broader approach is needed than the current one: the direction he suggested to take is that of a “massive deployment” of fibre optic networks and FTTH as the only way to overleap the digital divide.   Prysmian Group, for its part, is working side by side with major operators to find cabling solutions capable of lowering the total costs of installation. Thanks to innovation, the industry is able to significantly lower the capital expenditure and build positive business cases.  But the telecom  industry as a whole can do even more than that to support the development of the fibre networks. It can actively increase its visibility and its capability to influence rulers and regulators, by playing an active role in the debate and in the decision process as well. In addition, Prysmian Group can make available its unique global expertise and experience gathered around the globe, from the NBN project in Australia to the 100% fibre coverage it worked at with Jersey Telecom.

10  Prysmian Group Insight DoING BUsINEss Submarine excellence Dolwin3, €350 million project secured in Germany, plus new contracts in the UK Channel Prysmian Group has been awarded a new major contract worth in excess of €350 million by Alstom Grid for the  connection project DolWin3 , linking offshore wind farms  in the North Sea to mainland Germany on behalf of the Dutch-German grid operator TenneT. The project involves the supply, installation and commissioning of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) 320kV extruded submarine and land cable power cable connections with a rating of 900MW and an associated fibre optic cable system, comprising of a 78km land route and of a subsea route of 83km.  The turnkey connection  will link the offshore converter platform DolWin Gamma in the ‘DolWin’ cluster zone to the mainland for transmitting power from renewables into the German Grid. Coordination of the ‘DolWin3’ project execution will come from Prysmian Group’s new offices in Hamburg, using production from the Group’s centres of technological and manufacturing excellence in  Arco Felice (Naples, Italy), Pikkala (Finland) and Delft (The Netherlands). Marine cable laying will be performed using the recently acquired team of Global Marine Energy (GME) that has particular expertise in offshore wind farm connections. The Group has also been awarded two new contracts by Jersey Electricity plc (UK), for the “Normandie 3” project to provide electricity to Jersey in the Channel Islands from the French mainland. This is the third such interconnector to be installed and forms part of a significant 10-year investment program by Jersey Electricity in their transmission network infrastructure.It also has been awarded a new contract by TenneT, operator of transmission systems in Germany and the Netherlands, for the connection of the Offshore Wind Park (OWP) Deutsche Bucht, in the North Sea, to the mainland grid. The project involves the design, supply and installation of turn-key High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) submarine power cable systems. Prysmian Group has supplied Medium Voltage 15kV and optical fibre cables for the new  Aircraft Carrier,  Gerald R. Ford , in a project delivered through a series  of contracts with different customers, such as General Atomics, the designer and manufacturer of the Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS system), and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the shipyard that will install most of the cables. Kevin P. Hamilton, Defense, Specialties & OEM Manager for Prysmian Group in North America, said, “We have developed a customised 15kV cable for use in this class of ship. The U.S. Navy had never previously used  voltages of more than 5kV. This cable is a vital part of the new electrical system that has three times the capacity of other aircraft carriers. Without developing this cable, the increase in electrical capacity would not have been possible.” The additional electrical capability achieved with MV 15kV cables is needed to support the EMALS system as well as other advanced technology. All fixed-wing aircraft (i.e., non-helicopters) need assistance in getting up to speed for take-off from the aircraft carrier’s deck. Previously, the catapults used were powered by steam. Cabling a US Carrier

11  Prysmian Group Insight GETTING THINGs DoNE After almost two years of market analysis, development and 2,645 tests on different brands and products, Prysmian Group Turkey launched the biggest cable education and communication initiative in the history of the Turkish cable market under the tagline: “Attention! All Cables Are Not The Same…” The focus of the project is to raise awareness among all the market’s stakeholders about the importance of making the right decisions about cable solutions and brands to optimise performance, while saving costs as well. The initiative kicked off in the Mudanya plant, where Prysmian Group Turkey organised seminars aimed at explaining the initiative to the more than 300 key industry opinion leaders and journalists and presented the Prysmian Group Turkey Academy, the R&D lab and the newly renovated fi re lab  using real-life examples to get the message across.  Since the beginning of 2013, several additional seminars have been held in Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa, reaching more than 700 opinion leaders in the Turkish cable and installation industries. Prysmian Group Turkey’s road show will continue with new seminars in Trabzon, Adana, Antalya, Eskişehir, Kütahya and Sakarya. A webinar has also been delivered, allowing the audience to see live demonstrations, ask questions and make comments. 124 points of sale across 13 different cities in Turkey are displaying the company’s advertising materials, while social media was employed as well: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Dailymotion and Vimeo update users with the latest product news. Also, a specifi c website www.prysmianperformanstesti.com   has been created. The biggest communication initiative in the history of the country cable market Prysmian Turkey in cable education campaign linking the country to the future Hans Hoegstedt, CEO of Prysmian Group Turkey, commented that “Linking Turkey to the future” is the new company mission, as its fi rst major success was the winning of the tender in September for the fi rst-ever HV Submarine cable project in Turkey linking Asia and Europe for the fi rst time. He pointed out that with the ‘Attention! All Cables Are Not The Same’ initiative and the new ‘Prysmian Performance Test’ project, the Group has given further substance to the mission, providing concrete evidence of its superior value-added solutions in terms of safety, quality, performance, and reduction in overall costs by signifi cantly improving the speed and ease of installation. The initiative ‘Attention! All Cables Are Not The Same’ kicked off in the  Mudanya plant

12  Prysmian Group Insight woRLDwIDE Disclaimer The content of this publication is provided  ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind, either  expressed or implied, including, but not  limited to, the implied warranties of mer- chantability, fitness for a particular purpose,  or non-infringement of intellectual property  rights. For further information please read  the  terms of use of this publication . lONDON  – UK Prime Minister  David Cameron opened the new High Voltage testing laboratory at Prysmian Group’s Eastleigh manufacturing plant.    The laboratory will be a central resource for Prysmian’s worldwide manufacturing of High Voltage power transmission cable as it typically tests Extra High Voltage cable to 1m volts and is the only facility of its kind in the UK. Mr Cameron expressed his support by stating: “We need to rebalance our economy between the public and private sector. Companies like Prysmian Group, investing and growing in the UK, are key to our success.” NICE  – The Group was Gold  Sponsor to the 3rd Smart Grids, Smart Cities Forum.   The conference brought together experts from both public and private sectors to discuss the initiatives, successful implementations and the future outlook for Smart Cities 2013 and beyond. The Group presented its offer for the smart grids, which includes solutions for risk prevention, smart maintenance, electrical load management and environmental impact. Prysmian Group has developed a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art cables and solutions to make smart grids more reliable and efficient, by guaranteeing their proper operation in all conditions and circumstances and preventing possible blackouts, failures and damage to other network components. CANBERRA  – Prysmian  Group has already supplied over 1 million kilometres of ribbon fibre  for the National Broadband  Network project in Australia. The historic landmark was achieved early in 2013 and was welcomed in the country as a milestone. The millionth kilometre was processed at the Dee Why facility. As the first milestone has been achieved, Prysmian now looks forward to tripling that volume in the coming months. In the Sydney suburb of Blacktown, a high capacity 576 fibre cable was being installed for the National Broadband Network. Prysmian Group’s fibre cables will enable over 16,000 homes and businesses in the area to access high-speed broadband by the end of 2013. DUBAI  – Prysmian Group  showcased at MEE 2013, the electrical largest show in the Middle East.  The event came at a  very important time for the Group to further reinforce its already strong presence in the Middle East, a key area for its expansion strategy, as the Group is already carryingout several strategic power cable projects in the region, especially in the Extra High Voltage underground and submarine cable systems market. The Group’s product portfolio at MEE 2013 focused on the full range of state-of-the-art power cables, including HV and EHV underground and submarine cable systems for applications such as  interconnections between power grids, links between natural or artificial islands and the mainland, and connections to, or between, offshore oil production and wind power generation facilities. BEIJING  – Prysmian Group has  supplied Huaneng Group with 630km of Medium Voltage and Low Voltage cables  for its new  Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant in Tianjin, the first of its kind in China. The Prysmian contract accounted for about 70% of all the cables used in the new plant. All the cables comply with national standards for the A– class and with power station technical requirements. IGCC is a technology that uses a gasifier to turn coal and other carbon-based fuels into gas, known as synthesis gas (syngas). It then removes impurities from the syngas before it is combusted. BRUSSElS  – Prysmian Group  attended and strongly supported ‘Supergrid 2013’  the second  edition of the annual conference of ‘Friends of the Supergrid’ (FOSG) that took place in Brussels. This conference aimed at continuing the progressive discussion of the backbone of Europe’s decarbonised power sector. Its purpose was to restate the importance of creating a European grid network capable of capturing the large amounts of renewable energy which will help reduce consumers bills, enable the delivery of 2020 targets and beyond, and enhance Europe’s energy security and independence. Prysmian Group latest news News  from Prysmian Group