2 min read - 20 Oct, 2026
Sumitomo Electric opens UK’s first HVDC subsea cable factory
Sumitomo Electric Industries has held an opening ceremony for the UK’s first HVDC subsea cable factory. Located at the Port of Nigg in Scotland, the new £350m facility will play a vital role in expanding the UK’s electricity transmission infrastructure, enabling the efficient delivery of offshore wind power and bolstering energy security.
The flagship facility covers 58,000 square metres of floor space on a 15-hectare site. As the UK’s first plant of its kind, it will manufacture 525kV XLPE HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter-array cables.
HVDC (high-voltage direct current) subsea cables act as ‘electricity superhighways’ beneath the sea, enabling the transmission of renewable energy from generation sites to areas of high demand.
The facility will directly create over 200 skilled local jobs, with a total projected impact of more than 400 roles across the broader UK supply chain. This will be supported by a “Train the Trainer” model and operator training programmes conducted in Japan.
Sumitomo Electric Industries has officially opened its new £350m high-voltage direct current subsea cable factory in Scotland / Picture: Getty/iStock
Osamu Inoue, President of Sumitomo Electric Industries, said: “I am delighted to celebrate the official opening of our new subsea cable factory in Scotland, following the announcement of its establishment in April 2023 and the groundbreaking ceremony held in May 2024.
“This factory will serve as a vital production base supporting the strengthening of the UK’s transmission infrastructure, the expansion of renewable energy deployment, and the delivery of a stable and reliable energy supply for generations to come. We are confident that the products and technologies manufactured here will contribute to the UK’s transition to clean energy and help enhance energy security.”
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, added: “As the first factory of its kind in the UK, it will help unlock our enormous offshore wind potential while bolstering energy security. We will continue to do all we can to create jobs, drive growth and build on Scotland’s position as the UK’s leading destination for inward investment outside London.”
