29 September 2022

Sumitomo Electric Completes Long-Term Test for 525 kV Cross-Linked Polyethylene Submarine Cable

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. is pleased to announce that its 525 kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)-insulated high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable system has been tested in accordance with the international standard CIGRE-TB496 and that a third-party certification body has approved the completion of the test.

Image of submarine cable

With the increasing capacity of renewable energy sources and the necessity of long-distance power interconnectors for efficient use of renewable energy between countries and regions, HVDC cable technology, which is suitable for long-distance power transmission, has been gaining significant attention in the global market. Sumitomo Electric has recently completed a long-term test for its 525 kV DC XLPE submarine cable system, which can supply the industrial highest voltage for XLPE cables.

This system is capable of operating at 90°C and transmitting large capacities exceeding 2 GW, thanks to the Company’s unique cable insulation technology using DC-XLPE compound and special fillers. Also, its cable system has been qualified with flexible factory joint, offshore joint and transition joint to onshore cable, which will enable us to propose a better solutions to projects which require long-distance and large-capacity power transmission.

In response to decarbonization policies in various countries, there has been a boom in the launch of renewable energy projects such as offshore wind power generation and the construction of interconnectors between countries and regions. Japan is also expected to see an increase in demand for power cables as the construction of a domestic power grid is under consideration.

In developing new classes of high-quality products including DC power transmission cables, Sumitomo Electric will further promote the expansion of power cable systems that contribute to the spread of renewable energy including offshore wind power.