JDR reveals plan for new subsea cable manufacturing facility

JDR Cable Systems is planning to open a new £130 million subsea cable manufacturing facility in Cambois, near Blyth, Northumberland.

The project is subject to final agreements, with the construction of the 69,000 sqm facility expected to begin next year and opening in 2024.

When complete, the facility will include a new catenary continuous vulcanisation (CCV) line, making it the only facility in the UK capable of full start-to-finish manufacturing of high voltage subsea cables for offshore wind projects.

The initial investment is estimated at £130 million, set to be part-funded by a grant from the BEIS Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support (OWMIS) scheme, while the plan is to raise the remaining funding with support expected from financial institutions and UK Export Finance.

“As the energy transition gathers pace and the UK’s offshore wind sector continues to thrive, turbines are growing taller and farther from shore, calling for higher voltage subsea cables. We’re delighted to build on our legacy as a leading provider of subsea cables to the offshore energy sector by investing in this new facility,” said Tomasz Nowak, JDR CEO.

“We’re also delighted to continue our investment in the North East of England, and in bringing new jobs to Cambois, Blyth and Northumberland. Our proposed facility is strategically located to capitalise on the rapidly growing and largest offshore renewable energy market in Europe.”

According to JDR, the new facility will create 170 local jobs on completion and safeguard 270 jobs at its existing facilities.

The new facility is said to be the first stage of the company’s plans to expand its product portfolio to support the global renewable energy market, adding high voltage export and long length array cables to its existing capacity and product capabilities.