16 July 2025
Sumitomo Electric Nominated as Preferred Bidder for 525kV Sea Link High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Cable Project Connecting Suffolk and Kent
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Electric) has been named preferred bidder by National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC (NGET) for the Sea Link HVDC cable project, a proposed 138km connection between Kent and Suffolk.
The Sea Link project, currently under consideration by the Planning Inspectorate, is one of the key infrastructure projects of National Grid鈥檚 鈥淭he Great Grid Upgrade", which will substantially increase electricity transmission capacity in the United Kingdom, and deliver renewable and low-carbon energy efficiently to homes and businesses throughout the country.
Sumitomo Electric, a technology leader in the HVDC cable industry, has a proven track record in HVDC projects in international markets since the 1970s. This experience includes Nemo Link, connecting UK and Belgium, which recently celebrated six years of 鈥渮ero-failure鈥 operation. Sumitomo Electric has delivered Nemo Link and the Greenlink interconnector between UK and Ireland commissioned earlier this year, as well as many other significant infrastructure projects, well within the target in-service date requested by the clients and regulators.
The Sea Link cable will be produced from Sumitomo Electric鈥檚 state of the art submarine cable factory at Port of Nigg in Scotland, thereby contributing significantly to the policy goals of UK and Scotland regarding enhanced social value, sustainability, and decarbonisation measures. The Port of Nigg facility is aimed at supporting the UK HVDC critical infrastructure buildout towards net-zero 2050, and will, with support from customers and public authorities, be a magnet for supply chain investments and job creation in the UK and Scotland as more opportunities are confirmed.
Sumitomo Electric is now engaging with NGET to finalise the contract.
Masaki Shirayama, Managing Director of Sumitomo Electric, said:
鈥淚 am pleased with the preferred bidder position for Sea Link, and really thank National Grid鈥檚 team for the evaluation and the decision. Our plan is to manufacture and supply 525kV HVDC cable from our factory in the UK. As proven in other HVDC projects in the region, we are committed to delivering the project in a timely manner with the highest standards of safety and quality.鈥
Zac Richardson, Chief Engineer and Offshore Delivery Director for Strategic Infrastructure at National Grid, said:
鈥淲e are pleased to name Sumitomo Electric as the preferred bidder for the HVDC cable element of Sea Link, a project that will play a vital role in strengthening the electricity network between Kent and Suffolk and delivering cleaner, more affordable energy to where it鈥檚 needed most.
Sumitomo Electric鈥檚 investment in a new factory at the Port of Nigg marks the first time in around 20 years that transmission cable will be manufactured here in the UK. This is a major milestone not just for Sea Link, but for The Great Grid Upgrade, helping to build a stronger, more resilient UK supply chain that supports jobs, skills, and long-term industrial and economic growth.鈥