Attendance at the Grand Opening Ceremony of Sumitomo Electric’s First HVDC Subsea Cable Factory in the UK
2026/10/19
On Monday, 19th October, Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda attended the grand opening ceremony of Sumitomo Electric Industries’ first High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable factory in the UK, held at the Port of Nigg in Scotland.
Spanning a 15-hectare site with a total floor area of 58,000 square metres, this new facility represents a total investment of £350 million. It will play a pivotal role in expanding the UK's power transmission infrastructure, enabling the efficient transmission of offshore wind energy, and bolstering energy security.
The ceremony was attended by key executives from Sumitomo Electric, including Chairman Masayoshi Matsumoto and President Osamu Inoue. Furthermore, Deputy Head of Mission Minister Masaki Ikegami from the Embassy of Japan in the UK, numerous dignitaries and officials from both the UK and Scottish governments, representatives from local partner organisations, and executives from related Japanese companies were also in attendance, joining a vibrant ceremony that featured a traditional Japanese "Kagami-biraki" (sake barrel-breaking) ritual blended with Scottish heritage.
During the ceremony, John Swinney, First Minister of the Scottish Government, expressed strong trust and high expectations for the region, stating, "This Sumitomo facility is a major step forward in positioning Scotland at the heart of the energy transition. It is a vote of confidence in our people, our skills, our precision, and our engineering excellence. This UK-first factory will unlock Scotland’s vast offshore wind potential while contributing significantly to our energy security."
Douglas Alexander, the UK Government's Secretary of State for Scotland, also delivered congratulatory remarks, praising the significance of the project: "Sumitomo Electric’s choice of the Highlands (Port of Nigg) for the UK’s first subsea HVDC cable factory demonstrates that Scotland possesses the skills, port infrastructure, and expertise required to lead the energy industries of the future.
This is a highly encouraging investment that will connect offshore wind power to where it is needed most, addressing one of the greatest challenges in our transition to clean energy."
The opening of this new factory signifies far more than a single corporate investment. In addition to creating local jobs and contributing to the regional economy, it carries immense significance as a landmark initiative that symbolises the strategic partnership between Japan and the UK in driving forward the Green Transformation (GX).
Spanning a 15-hectare site with a total floor area of 58,000 square metres, this new facility represents a total investment of £350 million. It will play a pivotal role in expanding the UK's power transmission infrastructure, enabling the efficient transmission of offshore wind energy, and bolstering energy security.
The ceremony was attended by key executives from Sumitomo Electric, including Chairman Masayoshi Matsumoto and President Osamu Inoue. Furthermore, Deputy Head of Mission Minister Masaki Ikegami from the Embassy of Japan in the UK, numerous dignitaries and officials from both the UK and Scottish governments, representatives from local partner organisations, and executives from related Japanese companies were also in attendance, joining a vibrant ceremony that featured a traditional Japanese "Kagami-biraki" (sake barrel-breaking) ritual blended with Scottish heritage.
During the ceremony, John Swinney, First Minister of the Scottish Government, expressed strong trust and high expectations for the region, stating, "This Sumitomo facility is a major step forward in positioning Scotland at the heart of the energy transition. It is a vote of confidence in our people, our skills, our precision, and our engineering excellence. This UK-first factory will unlock Scotland’s vast offshore wind potential while contributing significantly to our energy security."
Douglas Alexander, the UK Government's Secretary of State for Scotland, also delivered congratulatory remarks, praising the significance of the project: "Sumitomo Electric’s choice of the Highlands (Port of Nigg) for the UK’s first subsea HVDC cable factory demonstrates that Scotland possesses the skills, port infrastructure, and expertise required to lead the energy industries of the future.
This is a highly encouraging investment that will connect offshore wind power to where it is needed most, addressing one of the greatest challenges in our transition to clean energy."
The opening of this new factory signifies far more than a single corporate investment. In addition to creating local jobs and contributing to the regional economy, it carries immense significance as a landmark initiative that symbolises the strategic partnership between Japan and the UK in driving forward the Green Transformation (GX).