Sumitomo Electric to build Scottish cable factory

Japanese company to supply offshore wind farms from new Highlands facility

Sumitomo Electric Industries has revealed plans to build a power cable factory in Scotland, UK.

The company has decided to establish a factory in the Scottish Highlands in order to capture the increasing demand for high-end wires in the region, it said.

Renewable energy and interconnectors are driving demand for power cables and the UK is expected to be one of the largest markets for them as the country is planning a number of offshore wind power projects, the outfit added.

In 2019, Sumitomo Electric delivered its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cross-linked polyethylene-insulated (XLPE) submarine cable system for the UK-Belgium interconnector (NEMO Link) and successfully completed the installation.

The 400kV HVDC XLPE wire is the industry's highest voltage in commercial operation even today, said Sumitomo Electric.

This has led Sumitomo Electric to win multiple contracts in the global market, including a project connecting the UK and Ireland (Greenlink Interconnector) and a project in Germany (Corridor A-Nord).

"We are delighted to work with Cabinet Secretary to build a state-of-the art submarine cable factory in Scotland," said president and COO of Sumitomo Electric Osamu Inoue.

"Sumitomo Electric is a technology leader in the industry with a 100-year history of submarine cable production, a solid track record, and high quality standards.

"Sumitomo Electric has the technologies necessary for the development of a green society and will work with the Scottish and UK governments and other stakeholders on future offshore wind power and interconnector projects in the region."

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray added: "I am absolutely delighted that Sumitomo Electric will be coming to Scotland.

"This significant announcement demonstrates the strength of confidence investors have in our vision for a net zero economy.

"The Scottish government, Scottish Development International, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will continue to work closely with Sumitomo Electric to foster this important partnership and unlock the opportunities the global renewables revolution presents."