Moscow, 16 December 2003. OAO Irkutsk Cable, the largest cable producer in Russia and integrated within the SUAL Group, today announces the start of production of a new generation power cable product.

With a capacity to conduct 35 kilovolts of electricity, the cable is produced using gas vulcanization technology, a process that is used at only one other plant in Russia. This technology, employed in the isolation process of the cable’s production, ensures the finished product is more resilient and durable. The cable has cross-linked polyethylene insulation, which is similar to conventional polyethylene cables, but has much better thermal and mechanical properties. The cable is also more reliable, durable and freeze-thaw resistant than the impregnated paper insulation cables, used widely in Russia, which it will replace in many regions.

The investment programme at Irkutsk Cable — worth more than USD 7 million — saw the construction of a modern production unit with equipment supplied by some of the world’s leading manufacturers. The programme is part of SUAL Group’s wider development strategy, aimed at increasing the Group’s output of value added products.

Irkutsk Cable plans to produce 4000km of this power cable per annum and has already won contracts from some of Russia’s leading industrial and construction companies.

Notes to Editors

Irkutsk Cable specialises in the production of self-supporting insulated and non-insulated wires, power and pilot cables with various types of insulation. It supplies some of Russia’s largest companies including RAO United Energy Systems of Russia, Gazprom, YUKOS, LUKOIL, East Siberian Railway, Irkutskenergo, Magnitogorsk and Nizhny Tagil Metallurgical Complexes, Severstal and ALROSA, as well as other construction companies in the region.