XLCC

XLCC (now trading as Aquora) is an independent British private limited company founded in 2020 to address critical infrastructure constraints in the global energy transition. The company focuses on engineering, manufacturing, installing and maintaining high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable systems that connect renewable generation to onshore grids. Its primary development is a purpose‑built HVDC subsea cable manufacturing complex at Hunterston, Ayrshire, on a repurposed former iron ore and coal terminal. Once complete, the facility is expected to produce thousands of kilometres of advanced subsea HVDC cable annually for offshore wind, interconnector and grid reinforcement projects, enabling long‑distance, efficient transmission of electricity, including from North Sea wind farms and international schemes such as the Morocco–UK Power Project. XLCC’s industrial plan combines manufacturing with marine and project delivery capabilities. The Hunterston plant is being designed with deep‑water access for cable‑laying vessels and a layout tailored around large‑scale production and testing processes. XLCC intends to operate its own cable‑laying vessel and offer turnkey cable system delivery from design and route engineering through installation, commissioning and lifecycle services including maintenance and fault response, targeting offshore grid operators, utilities, OFTOs and offshore wind developers. The company has opened a dedicated Training Academy in Irvine to create a UK pipeline of HVDC cable jointers and factory engineers, and has entered an exclusivity agreement to base its sales and project delivery headquarters at The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Kilmarnock. Across Hunterston and Kilmarnock, XLCC plans to create around 1,200 high‑skilled jobs, supported by public and private investment from parties including the Scottish National Investment Bank, the UK Infrastructure Bank/National Wealth Fund, Scottish Enterprise and strategic industrial partners.