Sumitomo Electric has officially opened a £350 million subsea cable manufacturing facility at the Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands, marking a significant investment in the UK’s renewable energy supply chain.

The development is the first UK manufacturing facility dedicated to high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables and will support the expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure.

The factory is expected to create more than 200 skilled local jobs, with wider supply-chain activity potentially supporting over 400 jobs across the United Kingdom.

Its opening represents a significant milestone for Scotland’s manufacturing sector and the development of infrastructure needed to support offshore renewable energy projects.

Manufacturing infrastructure for offshore wind

HVDC subsea cables are designed to transport large quantities of electricity over considerable distances.

They are particularly important for offshore wind developments, where electricity generated at sea must be transmitted efficiently to onshore networks and centres of demand.

As offshore renewable generation expands, the UK will require substantial investment in electricity transmission infrastructure.

Producing specialist subsea cables domestically could help strengthen the supply chain supporting these projects while reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing capacity.

The Port of Nigg facility is therefore positioned to play a role in future electricity network developments.

Advanced manufacturing capabilities

The new factory occupies approximately 58,000 square metres of floor space within a 15-hectare site.

It has been designed to manufacture 525kV cross-linked polyethylene insulated HVDC subsea transmission cables, alongside subsea inter-array cables.

Producing these specialist products requires advanced engineering processes, stringent quality assurance and highly controlled manufacturing operations.

Subsea electricity cables must operate in demanding marine environments while maintaining reliable performance over long operational periods.

Manufacturing such equipment involves specialist materials, cable insulation technology, precision engineering and extensive testing.

The investment reflects the increasing technical sophistication of industrial products required to support the transition towards low-carbon energy generation.

Skilled jobs and regional investment

Sumitomo Electric’s development is located within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport area.

The facility is expected to create more than 200 skilled local positions, while generating additional activity for engineering contractors, service providers and businesses operating within the wider supply chain.

Training will form an important part of the project, with technical knowledge being supported through programmes involving the company’s established manufacturing expertise in Japan.

The Scottish Government contributed £24.5 million towards construction of the facility.

Major manufacturing developments of this nature can have a wider economic impact beyond their direct employment figures, particularly where they create demand for industrial services, logistics and specialist engineering expertise.

Supporting the energy transition

The opening comes as the UK works to expand renewable electricity generation and strengthen the infrastructure required to transport power between regions.

Investment in wind turbines and generation facilities is only one part of this process.

Electricity networks must also be capable of transmitting additional energy safely and efficiently.

Subsea transmission technology is consequently becoming an increasingly important component of national energy infrastructure planning.

For Scottish manufacturing, the project illustrates how industrial investment associated with renewable energy can create opportunities in specialist production, technical employment and international supply chains.

The Port of Nigg development also demonstrates the potential for existing industrial regions to attract investment in emerging energy technologies.

As electricity networks continue to evolve, manufacturing facilities producing the equipment required for renewable power transmission are likely to play an important role in future infrastructure programmes.

Source: Sumitomo Electric, 19 October 2026.