Global Energy's Nigg base earmarked for Sumitomo Electric Industries' gigantic subsea cable factory
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Global Energy Group looks set to host a massive manufacturing plant for subsea power cables after it was confirmed yesterday that Sumitomo Electric Industries announces plans for a factory in the Highlands.
The exact location was not revealed by either company or the Scottish Government but we can confirm that a planning application for a subsea cable plant has been made by Global, containing documents from Sumitomo Electric Industries.
If approved by Highland Council then it would be by far the largest factory and assembly base on the Cromarty Firth and is described as “one of the first flagship projects under the Opportunity Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.”
'Out of scale with the existing environment'
The precise development is for a high voltage cable manufacturing plant for the renewable industry comprising buildings is laid out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
It comprises: the main factory (48,000 m2), vertical cabling (2,208 m2), warehousing (3,200 m2), shipping equipment store (1,040 m2), shielding room (1,200 m2), offices (1,280 m2), external storage of finished cables, access and parking.
It is also admitted that the highest building – the main factory – will be “out of scale with the existing environment,” which could give rise to objections along with the significant work needed to build it.
Larger than anything at Nigg
The EIA stated: “The main factory building footprint is larger than any of the existing buildings on the nearby Nigg Energy Park. The height of the tallest building will be just over 44 metres. There will be extensive works during construction.”
But despite its enormous footprint the plans are viewed as integral to “improve the renewable energy generation connections not only for this area, but also for Scotland, and the UK.
“It is part of the wider objectives for the Cromarty Firth area to provide energy security, movement towards Net Zero and the Green Freeport.
"This would be one of the first (flagship) projects under the Opportunity Cromarty Firth Green Freeport initiative that also demonstrates positive inward investment for the area.”
Increasing demand for transnational cables
Citing the increasing demand for such cables, the announcement was made by the president of Sumitomo Electric Industries Osamu Inoue during a visit to Japan by Scottish economy secretary Neil Gray.
It is the third major announcement this year following the confirmation of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and the £300 million investment in a decommissioning site at Ardersier Port by Quantum Energy Partners.
The move involved the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development and it is understood that discussions have been ongoing for some time.
Highlands recognised as 'a true global player'
Locally HIE chief executive Stuart Black said: “Sumitomo’s announcement confirms that the Highlands and Islands is recognised as a true global player in the renewable energy sector.
“We look forward to continuing positive discussions with the company and our partners in government to secure this potential investment for Scotland.”
The company says there is a growing demand across Europe for interconnected national and regional lines and this is directly linked to offshore power generation in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK.
According to a statement: “The company has decided to establish a factory in the Scottish Highlands, UK, in order to capture the increasing demand for high-end cables in the region.
“The new company will supply cables for offshore wind farms and further grid connections, which are indispensable for the introduction of renewable energies to the country’s electricity transmission systems.”
A state-of-the art submarine cable factory
Mr Inoue said: "We are delighted to work with the Cabinet Secretary to build a state-of-the art submarine cable factory in Scotland. 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."
Mr Gray said: "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.
“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 27 GW 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.”
