In a significant boost for the UK green energy supply chain, Sumitomo Electric has commenced construction of its state-of-the-art subsea transmission cable factory in the Scottish Highlands. The factory will supply critical elements for the reinforcement of the UK electricity transmission grid and for connecting renewable energy production facilities to the grid.

On May 14, 2024, Sumitomo Electric held a ground breaking ceremony at its planned cable factory location at the Port of Nigg, inviting key stakeholders including leading representatives from the UK and Scottish Governments.

During the event, SSEN Transmission, a leading UK transmission system operator, announced the selection of us and its cable installation partner Van Oord as preferred bidders for the Shetland 2 525kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea power cable project, the anchor project enabling construction work to commence.

Shetland 2 is to connect 330km between Shetland and mainland to bring 2GW of renewable electricity to GB network, which forms part of the latest GB wide strategic transmission network plan, “Beyond 2030” where total GBP 5bn investment by SSEN is expected in the north of Scotland by 2035.