Nexans Expands French Plant After Securing Orkney Transmission Link Contract
Nexans has signed a major contract for the Orkney Transmission Link and announced plans to expand its French manufacturing facility. These two projects strengthen Nexans’ position as a leader in energy transmission and clean electrification across Europe.
Orkney Transmission Link Project Details
The Orkney Transmission Link will exchange up to 220 MW of energy between the Orkney Islands and mainland Scotland. It includes 53 km of subsea cable and 16 km of land cable, running from Finstown in Orkney to Dounreay in Caithness.
Nexans will design, produce, and install the 220 kV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) system. Once complete, it will become the largest-capacity energy cable connecting the islands to the mainland. Moreover, the project will improve grid reliability and help the UK meet renewable energy targets.
Advanced Cable Manufacturing Across Europe
The company will produce the offshore cable sections at its facility in Halden, Norway, and the onshore sections at its Charleroi, Belgium plant. Nexans will also manage the cable installation process. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027, further advancing Nexans’ mission to deliver reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
For more details on its offshore capabilities, visit Nexans Subsea Solutions.
€15 Million Investment to Expand French Production
In addition to the Orkney project, Nexans will invest €15 million to expand its medium-voltage cable plant in Bourg-en-Bresse, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The expansion project, expected to finish by mid-2026, will add two new production lines and upgrade the entire manufacturing process.
The company plans to install a new stranding machine capable of producing larger aluminum cable sections of up to 400 sq mm. A new cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) triple extruder will also increase output efficiency. Nexans expects the enhancements to boost production of its durable EDRMAX™ reinforced direct-buried cables, which are vital to large-scale energy infrastructure projects.
Nexans’ Growing Global Commitment
Through these investments, Nexans continues to support the global shift toward cleaner and more dependable energy transmission systems. The Orkney Transmission Link and French facility expansion highlight Nexans’ commitment to innovation, capacity growth, and sustainable manufacturing.