18 March 2025

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has been awarded an HVDC cable framework contract from National Grid to deliver future HVDC subsea power cables projects in the UK. The cables will be produced in Sumitomo’s factory in the UK, further contributing to the UK economy, its employment strategy, and Energy Transition goals.


The UK Government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) Beyond 2030 set out a pathway to clean power by 2030 and onward. Initiatives include expanding renewable energy capacity, enhancing grid connections, and developing electrical infrastructure for long-distance power transmission via high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems to ensure the stability of clean energy supply.

In achieving this plan, the development of electrical transmission systems across the UK, as well as interconnectors between the UK and neighboring countries, are planned. This HVDC framework covers many of those critical infrastructure projects.

It is planned that HVDC submarine power cables for National Grid’s projects will be manufactured in Sumitomo’s state-of-the-art factory, located in the northeast of Scotland and currently under construction. The cable factory works are set to employ 150 full-time employees with knock-on effects expected to increase the number of indirect employment opportunities by at least double that count.

Yasuyuki Shibata, Senior Executive Officer of Sumitomo Electric, said:
We are delighted to sign this framework contract as a key HVDC cable partner for National Grid. This is a significant milestone for us and our UK cable factory. We are looking forward to working with National Grid to support the UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and National Energy System Operator (NESO) Beyond 2030 to realize a clean energy society.

Carl Trowell, President of Strategic Infrastructure at National Grid, said:
This is another exciting milestone in delivering the greatest overhaul of the grid in a generation – The Great Grid Upgrade. We are committed to building the infrastructure that will enable our country's current and future energy needs, at pace. This framework allows us to harness National Grid’s scale to access global supply chains, drive efficiencies, foster innovative technologies, and contribute to the UK’s economic prosperity.

Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures, said:
National Grid is already the largest operator of subsea power cables in the world, the majority of which we delivered in the last six years. World record-breaking sites like Viking Link and pioneering projects like LionLink need an ambitious approach for every aspect of their delivery, including with our suppliers. Today’s announcement is an important step which strengthens our supply chain. It ensures we can develop and deliver innovative international projects in a timely manner and boosts energy security with confidence.