By Crossing Borders, HVDC XLPE Cable Brings the Future of Electricity to People Around the World.

Electricity is supplied while constantly balancing the power generation amount with consumption. Supply must not be lower than demand, but oversupply must also be avoided. Stable supply is maintained when a necessary and sufficient amount of electricity is generated. These are the unique characteristics of this energy.

This is why renewable energy, whose power generation amount depends on the weather conditions, poses difficulties. Power generation and consumption in a region inevitably results in unstable electric power supply. However, if many power generation systems are linked via an interconnected grid in a large area to secure a large supply amount, the surplus electricity in a consumption area can be delivered to a different consumption area where electricity is in short supply. In addition, renewable power plants, including offshore wind farms, are located in remote areas. For these reasons, HVDC cables that can withstand large-capacity long-distance power transmission are definitely required to realize a decarbonized society.

In Europe, a project is underway to build an offshore wind power generation facility called “energy island” in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and share electric power with neighboring countries. Obviously, DC interconnectors will be reinforced, and the international grid will be further expanded.

Renewable energy and DC power transmission cables are just like two wheels of a cart to lead the world to carbon neutrality.

Such a project is not limited to Europe. In COP26, India, which had not mentioned any specific numerical target, announced that it would increase the percentage of renewable energy to 50% by 2030. In India, an interconnector for which Sumitomo Electric manufactured and installed, an HVDC XLPE cable of ±320 kV went into operation in 2021. Multiple projects are underway in various parts of the world to newly install and expand interconnectors. The number of inquiries that Sumitomo Electric receives has been increasing year after year. The advent of the era of carbon neutrality, where the global community is linked by interconnectors, is getting closer to reality.

Yasuyuki Shibata, Managing Executive Officer and General Manager of the Social Infrastructure Sales & Marketing Unit, who supervised various interconnector projects in and outside Japan, talked about the pride of a manufacturer in a growing market toward a decarbonized society.

Shibata continued to express his commitment to carbon neutrality with enthusiasm.

“We will work on carbon neutrality based on the belief that we will achieve it. We will continue to further improve the quality of products and expand production facilities. We hope to establish a reputation in the global market by taking full advantage of our expertise and contributing directly to a decarbonized society,” said Shibata.

As a key player in the global arena, Sumitomo Electric has already been taking on challenges to deliver as many DC XLPE cables as possible and lead the world to a sustainable future.