NKT hits 100-meter mark for addition to its huge subsea power cable factory

Denmark-headquartered power cable manufacturer and installation player NKT has made inroads in the construction of a new cable extrusion tower for a power cable factory in Karlskrona, Sweden, which is expected to be the world’s largest high-voltage offshore power cable factory after completion.

In a bid to strengthen its ability to meet the growing demand for larger and longer high-voltage offshore cables that are considered to be essential for the green transition, NKT revealed plans to boost its high-voltage power cable business last year, unveiling a €1 billion investment up to 2026 in a new factory in Sweden and a cable vessel.

The Danish player started work in July 2024 for a third extrusion tower at the Swedish factory in Karlskrona, reiterating once again that the expansion was driven by a record-high order backlog and increased demand for power cables to support the transition to renewable energy.

While providing an update on its progress, the company highlights a new construction milestone, as its third extrusion tower has reached 100 meters and can be viewed from the city center. As the slipform casting of concrete continues, NKT anticipates the tower will reach its final height of 200 meters during Q4 2024.

Darren Fennell, NKT’s Executive Vice President, Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona, commented: “We are delighted to see the tower rise above Karlskrona and I would like to thank everyone contributing to the ongoing construction. The tower will significantly strengthen our ability to meet the growing demand for larger and longer high-voltage offshore cables essential for the green transition.

“The ongoing investments are central to the execution of our large order backlog and prepare us for the positive development we expect in the high-voltage power cable market. With the expansion, we continue to create local jobs and support the positive development of Karlskrona.”

The Danish firm expects a truck per hour to continue supplying concrete to the tower over the coming months, ensuring the final ascent to 200 meters. According to NKT, the extrusion tower is crucial for adding insulation to the high-voltage power cables produced at the Swedish facility.

The tower’s construction is part of the company’s larger investment program in its high-voltage power cable business, also entailing NKT Eleonora, a second cable-laying vessel (CLV), set to be operational from 2027, and capacity expansion in Cologne, Germany.

The Denmark-headquartered firm recently hand-picked ABB to supply a power distribution system for its newbuild CLV to allow integration of multiple power sources and engines to run at variable speeds.

This came after NKT finished its assignment on a subsea link, enabling 600 MW of renewable generation as remote North Sea islands connect to Britain’s main grid.