NEWS STORY

Power Cable Factory, Nigg for Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd

KLM Partnership are delighted to announce that they have been appointed as NEC4 Cost Advisors by Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd.  This commission follows on from a commission in Spring 2023 to provide an RIBA Stage 2 Cost Report for Sumitomo Electric.

The introduction of renewable energy and interconnected national and regional lines are being promoted worldwide to achieve a decarbonised 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 UK’s Net-zero 2050.

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd has decided to establish a factory in the Scottish Highlands, UK in order to capture the increasing demand for high-end cables in the region. The company will supply cables for offshore wind farms and further grid connections, which are indispensable for the introduction of renewable energies to the country’s electricity transmission systems. 

This development is set to bring more than £200m of investment to the local area and create 150 jobs. 

The development is currently going through the planning process with construction due to commence in Spring 2024 with commissioning of the facilities completed by September 2026.

The facility comprises of the main factory, vertical cabling building, warehousing, shipping equipment store, shielding room and offices with associated external storage of finished cables, access roads and parking.

This development will be one of the first projects under the Opportunity Cromarty Firth Green Freeport initiative that also demonstrates positive inward investment for the area.

William Hamilton, Partner at KLM Partnership said “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the team from Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd, and we look forward to providing NEC4 Cost Adviser Services for Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd to deliver this facility to the Highlands.  This development will provide the largest factory and assembly base within the Cromarty Firth area.  We are delighted to be able to support this project to provide these facilities..”