Establishment of Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd., Power Cable Manufacturing and Sales Company in Scotland, UK.
Holding a Joint Press Conference with the Government of Scotland, UK
The introduction of renewable energy and interconnected national and regional lines are being promoted worldwide to achieve a decarbonized society. In the European market, where such trends are active, demand for power cables is growing. In particular, the UK is expected to be one of the largest markets for power cables, as the country is planning a number of offshore wind power projects to achieve the Scottish government’s Net-Zero 2045 and the UK’s Net-Zero 2050.
To capture the increasing demand for high-end cables in the region, the Company has decided to establish a power cable manufacturing and sales company in the Scottish Highlands, and held a joint press conference on April 27, 2023.
Osamu Inoue,
President & COO of Sumitomo Electric.
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 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.
Neil Gray,
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy
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.
Meeting with UK Prime Minister Sunak
A meeting between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Masayoshi Matsumoto, Chairman & CEO, and Osamu Inoue, President & COO of the Sumitomo Electric Group was held on May 18, 2023 during his visit to Tokyo.
Both parties reconfirmed that the factory will make a significant contribution to the establishment of local supply chain and technologies in the UK, related to renewable energies, and all stakeholders have expressed enthusiasm and commitment to make Sumitomo Electric’s investment a resounding success. The new factory, once built, will also play an important role around improvement of UK’s energy security by having a domestic production capability of key power transmission infrastructure.
The following is an extract from the press release by the UK government.
“Sumitomo Electric Industries has announced its decision to build a strategically important highvoltage- cable manufacturing plant in the Scottish Highlands, bringing more than £200 m in investment and creating 150 highly skilled green jobs. This investment will help the UK build resilient supply chains for critical infrastructure such as offshore wind projects, and support UK developers to enhance their contribution to UK growth.”
With the cooperation of the UK government, we are committed to making the utmost contribution to the UK’s energy security and ambition to achieve Net-Zero 2050 with the high quality standards and power cable technology we have nurtured.
His Majesty King Charles III of the UK Visits the Port of Nigg in Scotland
On August 8, 2023, His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom visited Scotland and toured the area of the Port of Nigg in the Highlands where Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. is planning to construct a power cable factory.
After His Majesty was briefed by local officials on the Port of Nigg, a Green Freeport designed to boost innovation and inclusive growth, Masayoshi Matsumoto, Chairman and CEO of Sumitomo Electric, was honored to meet His Majesty and explain the outline of the factory and the employment opportunities to be created in the area.
His Majesty addressed the attendees and extended his wishes for their success in establishing a state-of-the-art power cable manufacturing factory in the UK.
First Minister Humza Yousaf and Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray met with Chairman Matsumoto in Scotland
Chairman Masayoshi Matsumoto of Sumitomo Electric met with Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland, and Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy in Scotland on August 7, 2023.
At the meeting, both parties agreed that Sumitomo Electric’s new factory will play an important role in Scotland’s energy transition and the creation of a net-zero society, and the Scottish Government will continue to provide support for this project. Both also reaffirmed that this project will contribute to the establishment of an offshore wind power supply chain and technology development in Scotland, leading to the effective use of renewable energy and the development of a green society.
Meeting with UK Minister Andrew Bowie
Andrew Bowie MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Nuclear and Networks) of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Osamu Inoue, President & COO of Sumitomo Electric, met on August 8th, 2023 at the British Embassy.
Inoue explained to Minister Bowie the progress in the establishment of a power cable factory in Scotland. Then, they exchanged views on the power grid of the UK, which is striving to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources, including wind power generation. Minister Bowie expressed his expectations for the partnership between the Sumitomo Electric Group and the UK and Scotland. They had a great time having a fruitful and positive discussion towards realization of a net-zero society. Inoue asked Minister Bowie to meet again in the UK and invited him to the groundbreaking ceremony of the new factory.
