PICTURES: Construction of ‘state-of-the-art’ subsea cable factory at Nigg commences with groundbreaking ceremony
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Construction of a new state-of-the-art subsea transmission cable factory in the Highlands commenced this morning, as Sumitomo Electric held a groundbreaking ceremony at its Port of Nigg site.
The factory - the first of its kind in the western hemisphere - will supply critical elements for the reinforcement of the UK electricity transmission grid and for connecting renewable energy production facilities to the grid. It is expected to be ready for commissioning in 2026.
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The ceremony was hosted by Mr Osamu Inoue, president and COO of Sumitomo Electric Group, who was joined by MaÌiri McAllan, Scottish cabinet secretary for net zero and energy and other leading representatives of the UK and Scottish Governments.
On the day, SSEN Transmission, part of electricity infrastructure company SSE, announced selection of Sumitomo Electric and its project partner Van Oord as the preferred bidder for the Shetland 2 525kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable project.
As the anchor project for the new factory, the Shetland 2 project is expected play a vital role in the delivery of offshore wind energy, generated in the North Sea, to consumers.
Osamu Inoue, president of Sumitomo Electric Group, said: “I am pleased to announce commencement of this innovative high-voltage cable factory in Scotland, and sincerely appreciate SSEN Transmission’s decision to select us as the preferred bidder of Shetland 2 project to enable our significant investment here in the UK.
“Transmission cables are key essential infrastructures to make so called Energy Transition to renewables into reality. I believe, this factory will make good contributions towards establishment of local supply chains and to realise UK and Scottish Governments’ net zero initiatives.”
Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: “We are delighted to reach preferred bidder status with Sumitomo Electric Industries and its subsea cable delivery partner, Van Oord Offshore Wind UK, for the manufacturer and installation of the Shetland 2 HVDC subsea link.
“Sumitomo’s investment in a new cable manufacturing facility in Nigg will help deliver a homegrown supply chain to help support our energy security and net zero infrastructure requirements.
“This is great news for the Highland economy and will support hundreds of skilled jobs in the region, helping unleash the economic potential the clean energy transition presents for the north of Scotland.”
Arnoud Kuis, managing director of Van Oord Offshore Wind, said: “As a consortium partner of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Van Oord Offshore Wind UK is very pleased to be nominated as the preferred contractor for the Shetland2 project by SSEN Transmission.
“The Sumitomo/Van Oord partnership exemplifies a synergy of expertise, driving forward a vision of sustainability, reliability, and excellence in building the energy infrastructure of the Shetland 2 project.
“We are very much looking forward to a successful collaboration with SSEN Transmission and making the Shetland2 project a success”.
Justin Tomlinson, energy security and net zero minister, added: “A second undersea cable connecting Shetland to the Scottish mainland will add 2GW of clean wind-generated power to our grid.
“Scotland is a green energy powerhouse, and it is fantastic that Sumitomo Electric Industries will build the cable in the Scottish Highlands, creating hundreds more jobs and building up the local supply chain.
“Since 2010, we have delivered a five-fold increase in renewable power, the second highest amount in Europe, and connecting more renewable energy to the grid will allow the British public to benefit from cheaper clean power.”
Màiri McAllan, Scottish cabinet secretary for net zero and energy, said: “Scotland is fast becoming a renewable energy powerhouse.
“Today’s ceremony highlights this and is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to grow Scotland’s economy and protect our environment – key objectives of the Scottish Government.
“Backed with £24.5 million of public sector funding, this will be Sumitomo’s first cable factory in Europe and the first High Voltage Direct Current cable factory in the UK, creating hundreds of jobs.
“The fast-growing offshore wind industry offers significant opportunities to attract inward investment and unlock wider economic benefits, not least in our transformational Green Freeports.
“That is why we providing up to £500 million to anchor the offshore wind supply-chain in Scotland to ensure our workforce, businesses and communities all benefit from the offshore renewables revolution.”
