Sumitomo Electric Industries has inaugurated a GBP 350 million subsea power cable factory at the Port of Nigg in Scotland, establishing the UK’s first manufacturing facility for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables to support offshore wind development and electricity transmission infrastructure.
Oct 23, 2026
Sumitomo Electric Industries held the opening ceremony for its new subsea cable factory on October 19, 2026, at the Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands. The facility represents an investment of GBP 350 million and is located within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport area. It will manufacture 525 kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter-array cables.
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The factory covers approximately 58,000 square metres of manufacturing space across a 15-hectare site. It is expected to create more than 200 direct jobs, with the broader supply chain projected to support over 400 jobs. The facility will strengthen the UK’s domestic subsea cable manufacturing capabilities, supporting offshore wind connections, electricity interconnectors and grid expansion.
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The investment follows the factory announcement in April 2023 and the commencement of construction in May 2024. The new facility will also serve as a key production base for Sumitomo Electric’s European subsea cable business, contributing to the UK’s energy security and clean energy transition.
