Scope of Work
Categories:
Submarine Cable ManufactureSubmarine Cable Installation
Lifecycle Stages:
Construction
Quantities:244 km submarine cable (domestic reinforcement)
Cable Specifications:
TypeHVDC
Purposedomestic reinforcement
Voltage525 kV
Route Length136 km
Source text:
Supply and installation of the 525 kV HVDC subsea cable system for the approximately 138–140 km Sea Link interconnector between Kent and Suffolk, manufactured at Sumitomo Electric’s new Port of Nigg submarine cable factory in Scotland.
Contract Details
Award Date:11 Dec 2025
Client:
National Grid
Description
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. was awarded a construction-phase contract by National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC to supply and install the high-voltage subsea cable system for the Sea Link HVDC connection between Kent and Suffolk. Following its nomination as preferred bidder in July 2025, the contract was signed in December 2025. Sumitomo will manufacture 525 kV HVDC subsea cables for the approximately 140 km Kent–Suffolk route at its new submarine cable factory at the Port of Nigg in Scotland, and will also install the cables offshore. The project reinforces the GB transmission network, enabling 2 GW of power transfer as part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, and marks the return of UK-based HVDC transmission cable manufacturing after more than two decades.