20 November 2024

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Scottish Government to accelerate the UK’s energy transition.

On November 18, 2024, Scottish First Minister John Swinney has visited the site of SEI’s upcoming factory (SUMITOMO ELECTRIC U.K. POWER CABLES LTD.) at the Port of Nigg in Scotland.
The Nigg factory will produce subsea cabling for offshore wind farms and grid connections - critical infrastructure for the renewable energy transition.

Yasuyuki Shibata, Chairperson of SEUK-CL and SEI Europe says SEI’s partnership with the Scottish Government is helping to deliver investment that will boost the UK’s efforts to transition to clean energy.  

“The clean energy transition is a major economic opportunity for Scotland and the broader United Kingdom. We are proud to be investing £350 million in our new subsea cable manufacturing facility at Nigg, Scotland and SEI is pleased with the progress of the works. With over 1000 piles sunk and over 50 footing foundations already cast for the main factory, the project is well on track.
Subsea cabling is critical national infrastructure - without it Scotland and the UK will not be able to meet their climate targets or build the renewable energy that is needed. By investing in critical infrastructure like this, SEI is proud to be creating jobs, boosting regional economic development and helping secure the UK’s supply of clean energy.  
With this investment in Scotland, we are bringing high skilled jobs in the energy transition, and helping to build a local supply chain across the United Kingdom. Consumers in Scotland and right across the UK will benefit from more affordable, renewable energy and the economic opportunities that come from new energy.”  

First Minister John Swinney said:

“Sumitomo’s HVDC cable factory at Nigg will be the first of its kind in the UK, further demonstrating Scotland’s ambition in leading the offshore wind sector.
“It will create hundreds of green jobs in the Highlands and it is a significant milestone in ensuring Scotland has the infrastructure and manufacturing facilities we need to grow our world-leading offshore wind sector.  
“The Scottish Government is investing up to £500 million over five years to anchor the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland. This project is an excellent example of what we want our investment to deliver.
“The project has been supported by £24.5 million grant funding from the Scottish Government and Scotland’s economic development agencies, as well as Green Freeport tax reliefs.
“This factory is a real example of private and public sector working together for the benefit of Scotland’s economy and environment, and of significant investment being attracted by Green Freeport incentives.”