28 October 2026
by Hassan Akhtar AIMMM

UK’s first high-voltage direct current subsea cable factory opens

The cables will play a key role in connecting offshore wind resources.

A cable underwater in the sea
© Vismar UK/Shutterstock

High-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables transmit renewable energy from the source of electricity generation to areas of demand.

The factory, located in the Port of Nigg in Scotland, will manufacture 525kV XLPE HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter-array cables.

The National Grid chose Sumitomo Electric to supply the HVDC cable for Sea Link - a proposed 138km, primarily offshore, high voltage electricity link between Kent and Suffolk, and a key part of The Great Grid Upgrade.

The Japanese manufacturing company invested £350mln into the Scottish site, which is expected to generate more than 200 skilled local jobs.

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Evolving with the grid

 

Authors

Hassan Akhtar AIMMM