NKT and ABB have partnered up to electrify the world’s largest submarine high-voltage power cable factory, driving the future of sustainable manufacturing.
NKT has partnered with ABB Distribution Solutions to expand its factory in Karlskrona, Sweden to meet growing demand for offshore high-voltage power cabling.
ABB will keep electricity flowing to the expanded facilities, which include a new factory and a third extrusion tower, making it the world’s largest high-voltage offshore cable factory.
With production needs running around the clock, ensuring uninterrupted power is vital.
Electrifying cable system infrastructure
NKT will produce high-voltage submarine power cables for up to 640 kV DC at this factory, which will help drive the global energy transition.
The production plant will be supplied with 100% renewable electricity, with the electricity infrastructure placed in two new distribution stations.
Submarine high-voltage power cables are a critical part of the transition to renewable energy, playing a key role in global energy infrastructure.
As offshore wind capacity expands, more and more advanced cable systems are needed to connect countries and enable energy to move from one place to another.
Which is why NKT and ABB’s work to drive the electrification of underwater power cables is so important.
“The ongoing investment in the factory creates the opportunity to annually produce the cables required to connect up to ten average offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 20 GW – enough to supply approximately 15-20 million homes,” says Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President and Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona at NKT.
“ABB can deliver a solution that meets our requirements for high availability.
“The company has supplied the power supply to our existing plant and as we now expand, we choose to continue a collaboration that works well with a partner that has reliable, high-quality equipment.”
ABB: the electrification leader
ABB’s role in enabling NKT’s expansion and greater electrification is crucial.
The manufacturer will provide 90 UniGear ZS1 switchgear panels and peripheral equipment such as cross-connection cabinets, busbar packs and 110 V DC LS systems with batteries.
The UniGear ZS1 switchgear has been used for over two decades to distribute uninterrupted power in demanding applications.
The application is highly regarded in the industry due to its consistent high standards of reliability and safety.
ABB will also manage the plant design, project management, installation, testing and commissioning of the equipment.
“We are excited to be involved in NKT’s efforts to facilitate the transition to renewable energy through advanced submarine cables,” says Håkan Morling, responsible for Solutions at ABB Distribution Solutions in Sweden. “For ABB, this project signifies our total commitment, and our extensive experience in delivering large, complex facilities will prove valuable.
“ABB delivers around a thousand UniGear switchgear panels every year to the Swedish market. It is a well-proven technology designed to meet the high reliability and personal safety required by the industry.
“With UniGear, NKT gets a future-proof solution for the power supply of the cable factory around the clock.”
