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Sumitomo Electric Industries makes and sells electrical wires, cables, and communication wiring products across five segments: Automotive, Electronics, Info-communications, Industrial Materials, and Environment & Energy. Its products provide power, signaling, and networking for cars, electronics, telecommunications, and industrial systems, using wiring harnesses, optical fibers, network equipment, and related materials. The company differentiates itself with a broad, globally integrated portfolio and supply chain that covers wires, optical components, materials, and power systems to enable end-to-end solutions. Its goal is to supply essential electrical and connectivity components at scale worldwide to support customers across automotive, telecom, and industrial sectors.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Osaka, Japan
Founded
1897
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Sumitomo Electric opens £350 million UK subsea cable factory to support offshore wind and grid expansion. 21 October 2026 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Sumitomo Electric Industries has officially opened the United Kingdom's first high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable manufacturing facility at the Port of Nigg in Scotland, marking a £350 million investment aimed at expanding domestic cable production, supporting offshore wind development and strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure. The opening ceremony, held on October 19, 2026, establishes a new manufacturing base in the Scottish Highlands at a time when Britain is preparing major investments in offshore transmission networks and renewable energy connections. The factory will manufacture 525 kV cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter array cables, providing equipment required for offshore wind farms, electricity interconnectors and long distance power transmission. New manufacturing capacity at the Port of Nigg. The facility occupies a 15 hectare site within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, with approximately 58,000 square metres of manufacturing floor space. Its location at the Port of Nigg provides access to established maritime infrastructure in a region already supporting offshore energy construction and logistics operations. For the project cargo and maritime sectors, the investment introduces another industrial manufacturing facility requiring specialist transport, heavy handling equipment, cable storage and marine logistics services. Subsea transmission cables are particularly demanding cargoes. Their weight, dimensions and minimum bending radius require specialised handling systems, while offshore installation projects depend on coordinated manufacturing schedules, port availability and cable laying vessels. Producing these cables in Scotland could reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing for selected UK transmission projects, although the company has not disclosed the factory's annual production capacity. The facility is expected to create more than 200 direct skilled jobs and support over 400 jobs across the wider UK supply chain. Workforce development includes operator training in Japan and a programme designed to transfer technical knowledge to locally recruited employees. £350 million investment supports UK electricity infrastructure. The factory forms part of a broader effort to expand electricity transmission capacity as offshore wind generation increases around the British coastline. HVDC technology allows large quantities of electricity to travel long distances with relatively low transmission losses, making it particularly suitable for offshore wind connections and subsea interconnectors. The practical challenge is straightforward: generating more offshore electricity provides limited benefit unless transmission networks can deliver that power to consumers and industrial users. Osamu Inoue, President of Sumitomo Electric, said the facility would support Britain's electricity infrastructure and renewable energy development. "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." The project was first announced in April 2023, with construction beginning following a groundbreaking ceremony in May 2024. Scottish government backs industrial investment. The Scottish Government contributed £24.5 million towards construction of the factory, while the wider Green Freeport initiative has received £25 million in UK Government seed funding. Factory Tour John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, described the development as an investment in the region's manufacturing capabilities and skilled workforce. "This facility puts Scotland right at the heart of the energy transition and is a strong vote of confidence in our people, skills and engineering excellence." Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, highlighted the importance of combining port infrastructure, engineering expertise and industrial investment. The facility also reflects government efforts to establish more domestic manufacturing capacity for equipment needed to expand Britain's electricity network. Transmission projects provide demand for subsea cables. Major transmission developers have already identified projects that could benefit from the new manufacturing capacity. SSEN Transmission said its proposed Shetland 2 subsea cable project had helped provide an initial commercial foundation for the investment. Managing Director Rob McDonald said the company planned to invest approximately £29 billion over the next five years. He said further investment in manufacturing would depend partly on greater certainty around electricity network development, planning decisions and long term renewable energy policy. Meanwhile, National Grid has awarded Sumitomo Electric a contract to supply HVDC cable for its Sea Link project. The electricity network operator said it had established more than £28 billion in UK supply chain contracts to support future infrastructure development. Carl Trowell, National Grid's Executive President of Global Capital, said the new factory demonstrated how long term infrastructure investment could support domestic manufacturing. New opportunities for cable logistics and offshore installation. The Port of Nigg facility adds a manufacturing element to Scotland's existing offshore energy supply chain, potentially increasing demand for specialist logistics services linked to cable production and installation. HVDC subsea cable projects typically involve large cable drums, dedicated handling equipment, specialised transport arrangements and complex vessel loading operations. The logistics requirements can extend from factory production and testing through storage, quayside handling, marine transport and offshore installation. For ports and project freight operators, manufacturing schedules and installation vessel availability remain important factors in determining how efficiently these operations can be organised. Sumitomo Electric has not announced specific arrangements for cable loading, storage capacity or maritime transport services associated with the new plant. The company said it intends to use the Scottish facility to support offshore wind and interconnector projects across Europe, extending its existing subsea cable manufacturing and engineering activities. DISCLAIMER: "Breakbulk.News publishes editorial content, including news, features and press releases supplied by third-party companies, institutions and PR agencies. Third parties who submit material to us are solely responsible for ensuring that all text, images, logos and other content they provide are accurate and that they hold all necessary rights, licences and permissions for news use. By submitting content to Breakbulk.News, contributors represent and warrant that their material does not infringe the rights (including copyright and related rights) of any third party and agree to indemnify Breakbulk.News respecting any claims arising from their submissions. human-edited, AI-assist. 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Sumitomo Electric opens UK's first HVDC subsea cable factory. October 20, 2026 Sumitomo Electric Industries has officially opened the UK's first High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable manufacturing plant at the Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands. The £350 million flagship facility establishes local industrial capability to resolve grid bottlenecks and deliver offshore wind power directly to areas of high demand. Establishing national cable manufacturing capability. Sumitomo Electric Industries. has officially opened the UK's first HVDC subsea cable factory at the Port of Nigg in Scotland. Representing a £350 million direct investment in the Highlands economy, the 58,000-square-metre facility occupies a 15-hectare site within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport. HVDC subsea cables function as subsea electricity superhighways, carrying bulk renewable power efficiently over long distances. Operating as the UK's premier production base, the state-of-the-art plant will manufacture 525kV XLPE HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter-array cables to link offshore wind fields directly with high-demand population centres. Economic impact and local workforce upskilling. The opening reinforces Scotland's position as a destination for inward investment and advanced renewable manufacturing. Supported by £24.5 million in Scottish Government construction funding and £25 million in UK Government Green Freeport seed funding, the project establishes direct industrial capacity in the Highlands. * 200+ High-Skilled Direct Jobs: Created locally at the Port of Nigg manufacturing site. * 400+ Total Jobs: Projected across the broader UK supply chain network. * Train-the-Trainer Model: Knowledge transfer delivered through specialized operator training programmes conducted in Japan. Resolving grid infrastructure bottlenecks. Connecting offshore wind resources to inland electrical grids remains one of the largest operational challenges facing the UK's energy transition. Domestically produced subsea transmission lines tackle the severe supply chain shortages that currently delay renewable deployment. Anchor contracts are already supporting this strategic infrastructure pipeline: Strategic playbook for infrastructure leaders. The launch of the Port of Nigg plant offers three critical insights for enterprise decision-makers navigating large-scale infrastructure investments: Anchor infrastructure through public-private co-investment. Blending regional enterprise funding, freeport tax incentives, and private capital creates stable conditions for multi-hundred-million-pound capital projects. Build resilient domestic supply chains. Transitioning away from total reliance on international supply chains mitigates global shipping delays, shortens project lead times, and ensures regulatory compliance. Leverage long-term capital certainty. Substantial energy grid investments, such as SSEN Transmission's £29bn five-year plan, provide the long-term commercial visibility required for major global manufacturers to establish localized production hubs. Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: "The opening of Sumitomo Electric's new cable manufacturing facility is a landmark moment. Not only for Scotland's energy transition but for its economy too, And, we're proud of the role our proposed Shetland 2 subsea cable project played as an anchor for this investment." Barnsley launches two AI schemes to upskill jobseekers and create paid business placements. Discover how this UK pilot is shaping future workforce talent. High-performance expert Jim Steele outlines how B2B leaders can unlock potential, manage pressure, and build adaptive sales teams. The latest SMMT vehicle data shows rising van and car registrations, but slumping electric van sales prove that manufacturer discounts aren't enough to secure the transition. - Advertisment - Featured. Test your knowledge with its 3-question sales leadership quiz. Based on the State of Sales 2026 report, discover the "Reality Gap" in AI and secure your NSC Early Bird discount.
'First of its kind' £350m factory officially opened in the Highlands. 20 October 2026 SUMITOMO Electric Industries has held an official opening ceremony for its £350 million HVDC subsea cable factory in the Highlands. The facility, which is a 'first of its kind' in the UK, is located at the Port of Nigg and will play a key role in expanding the UK's electricity transmission infrastructure. HVDC subsea cables act as 'electricity superhighways' beneath the sea - enabling the efficient transmission of renewable energy from the source of electricity generation to areas of demand. In the UK, these cables are expected to play a key role in connecting offshore wind resources with areas of high electricity demand, supporting the expansion of renewable energy and strengthening energy security. Located within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth green freeport boundary, the new plant represents a £350 million investment in the local Highlands economy and marks a major milestone in advanced renewable manufacturing. The flagship factory covers 58,000 sqm of floor space on a 15-hectare site. As the UK's first HVDC subsea cable plant, Sumitomo will manufacture 525kV XLPE HVDC subsea transmission cables and subsea inter-array cables. The facility will create over 200 skilled local jobs, with a total projected impact of more than 400 jobs across the wider UK supply chain. This will be supported by a 'train the trainer' model and operator training programmes conducted in Japan. The opening ceremony blended Japanese culture heritage with local Scottish traditions, featuring the ceremonial Kagami Biraki - the breaking open of sake casks with wooden mallets for good fortune - alongside performances by father and son bagpipe duo from the local area. 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." First minister of Scotland John Swinney added, "This facility puts Scotland right at the heart of the energy transition and is a strong vote of confidence in our people, skills and engineering excellence. We invested £24.5 million in its construction to support hundreds of well-paid jobs in the Highlands and create lasting opportunities for future generations. 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." Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Angus Campbell, commented, "This is one of the biggest inward investments ever made in the Highlands and Islands, bringing hundreds of high-quality jobs and significant opportunities for businesses across the supply chain. The fact that high-voltage subsea cables will be manufactured here in the Highlands and deployed in our coastal waters is hugely significant. It will strengthen the UK electricity grid, support the transition to net zero and further enhance the region's reputation as a world-class location for major investment."
£350m Scotland plant makes UK's first subsea HVDC cables. The facility at the Port of Nigg on the North East coast of Scotland. (Image: Supplied) Scotland has become home to the UK's first subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable manufacturing plant following the opening of a £350 million facility in the Highlands. Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables' new factory at the Port of Nigg officially opened today, October 19, marking a major investment in the country's energy infrastructure and manufacturing capacity. The facility at the Port of Nigg on the North East coast of Scotland. (Image: Supplied) The facility will manufacture cables used to transport large volumes of renewable electricity over long distances, helping connect offshore wind farms to the UK's electricity grid. Until now, the UK has relied entirely on imported subsea HVDC cables. Domestic production is expected to strengthen energy security, support grid upgrades and help deliver net zero targets by 2050. The Scottish Government invested £24.5 million in the construction of the plant, which is expected to create between 200 and 250 direct jobs and support more than 400 roles across the wider UK supply chain. The facility at the Port of Nigg on the North East coast of Scotland. (Image: Supplied) The factory is also linked to planned electricity transmission infrastructure, with SSEN Transmission's proposed Shetland 2 subsea cable project acting as an anchor for the investment. SSEN Transmission is planning to invest around £29 billion over the next five years to support electricity grid upgrades and renewable energy projects. John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, said: "This facility puts Scotland right at the heart of the energy transition and is a strong vote of confidence in our people, skills and engineering excellence. "We invested £24.5 million in its construction to support hundreds of well-paid jobs in the Highlands and create lasting opportunities for future generations. "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." Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: "Sumitomo Electric choosing the Highlands for the UK's first subsea HVDC cable factory shows what Scotland has to offer: the skills, ports and expertise to lead the energy industries of the future. "Scotland is helping to solve one of the biggest challenges in our transition to clean energy, connecting offshore wind to where it's needed most. "This development is a huge vote of confidence." Osamu Inoue, President & COO & CSO, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, John Swinney First Minister of Scotland, Masayoshi Matsumoto, Chairman & CEO Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Image: Supplied) Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: "The opening of Sumitomo Electric's new cable manufacturing facility is a landmark moment, not only for Scotland's energy transition but for its economy too - and we're proud of the role our proposed Shetland 2 subsea cable project played as an anchor for this investment. "The £350m facility, which will create at least 200 jobs and support hundreds more across the wider supply chain, demonstrates the scale of opportunity that comes from investing in the infrastructure needed to deliver clean power and energy security." Masayoshi Matsumoto, chairman and chief executive of Sumitomo Electric Group, said: "With this new factory as our foundation, we will further deepen and strengthen our relationships with local stakeholders through hundreds of job creation, workforce development along with significant sustainability contributions."
UK's first plant to build subsea cables opens in Highlands. The Japanese firm behind the factory has claimed it could create up to 250 direct jobs. The factory was opened on Monday (Sumitomo/PA) 2 hours ago News Briefings Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. The UK's first subsea cable plant in the Scottish Highlands intended to "tackle bottlenecks" in the transmission of electricity has opened. The factory in the Port of Nigg, near Inverness, was built by Japanese firm Sumitomo to build cables which can carry electricity from wind farms. The project sits within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, which provides companies special tax relief and customs status, and was given £24.5 million in Scottish Government cash. Sumitomo claims up to 250 direct jobs will be created by the factory's opening, with more than 400 supported through the wider supply chain. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander (middle left) and First Minister John Swinney (middle right) attended the opening of the factory (Sumitomo/PA) UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the investment will "help continue the legacy" Scotland has for "powering the country". "Making subsea cables in Scotland will help us tackle the bottlenecks that block electricity from being transported across the country," she said. "We are building out our grid and building British while we do so." Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who attended the opening ceremony on Monday, also welcomed the factory, saying: "This facility puts Scotland right at the heart of the energy transition and is a strong vote of confidence in our people, skills and engineering excellence. "We invested £24.5 million in its construction to support hundreds of well-paid jobs in the Highlands and create lasting opportunities for future generations. "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." Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander was also in attendance at the opening, adding: "Sumitomo Electric choosing the Highlands for the UK's first subsea HVDC cable factory shows what Scotland has to offer: the skills, ports and expertise to lead the energy industries of the future. "Scotland is helping to solve one of the biggest challenges in our transition to clean energy, connecting offshore wind to where it's needed most. This development is a huge vote of confidence. "The Port of Nigg is part of the Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport, funded by £25 million of UK Government seed funding and designed to encourage private sector development. "I very much welcome this £350 million investment by Sumitomo Electric, and the hundreds of skilled jobs it brings. It shows exactly what growth in every postcode looks like in practice." Rob McDonald, the managing director of SSEN Transmission, described the opening as a "landmark moment" for the economy and the energy transmission, while Carl Trowell, the executive president of global capital at the National Grid, said it marked an "important milestone for UK homegrown energy". Local Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone said the area has a "proud industrial heritage", adding: "Today's investment by Sumitomo Electric is a significant step forward. It puts Nigg at the heart of the UK's transition to renewable energy and offers real potential for our local workforce and supply chain. "My hope is that this marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nigg, building on its industrial past to secure a future of long-term investment, high-quality jobs and renewed manufacturing ambition for the Highlands." MORE ABOUT