Sumitomo Electric Industries has announced plans to establish a power cable factory in Scotland.
The Japanese company stated that the UK is expected to be one of the largest markets for power cables, due to the number of offshore wind power projects underway.
In 2019, Sumitomo delivered and installed its high-voltage direct current submarine cable system for the UK to Belgium interconnector (NEMO Link). The 400 kV cable system is the industry’s highest voltage in commercial operation, even today.
This has led the company to win multiple contracts in the global market, including a project connecting the UK and Ireland (the Greenlink Interconnector).
The new facility is set to be built in the Scottish Highlands, in order to capture the increasing demand for high-end cables in the region, supplying cables for offshore wind farms and further grid connections.
The announcement was made during Energy Secretary Neil Gray's visit to Japan, where he met representatives from Sumitomo in Osaka.
Osamu Inoue, president and chief operating officer of Sumitomo Electric, stated: "We are delighted to work with Cabinet Secretary to build a state-of-the art submarine cable factory in Scotland.
"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."
Gray commented: "This significant announcement demonstrates the strength of confidence investors have in our vision for a net zero economy.
"Sumitomo Electric has a proven track record in renewables technology that will be invaluable to supporting Scotland’s rapidly expanding offshore wind sector, with ambitions for more than 27GW of generating capacity to be delivered through ScotWind.
"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."
Gray is currently undertaking a three-day trade mission to Japan to develop relationship with companies across the renewables and supply chain sectors, and build new inward investment opportunities.
He also met Scotland’s first and longest-standing inward investor, Terasaki Electric, to mark its 50th year of investment in Scotland.
"It is clear that there is enormous interest for investment in Scotland’s renewables revolution," Gray added. "We have a world-beating pipeline of offshore wind projects and this visit has demonstrated the important role played by Scotland’s international network and the value of growing and developing our partnership with our trusted Japanese partners, both old and new."
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