NKT Wins €2.2 Billion Power Cable Projects and Expands German Capacity
NKT has secured two major power cable projects in Germany worth about €2.2 billion. The company also plans to invest €100 million to expand its high-voltage cable capacity at its Cologne factory. This move strengthens NKT’s role in supporting Germany’s renewable energy transition under the Energiewende program.
Boosting Germany’s Power Grid Expansion
Amprion GmbH, a leading German transmission system operator, awarded NKT contracts for two large onshore power cable projects. The order includes high-voltage AC and DC cables that will improve electricity transmission and grid reliability across the country.
The projects include:
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Korridor-B V48: About 430 km of 525 kV HVDC cables designed to move renewable energy across long distances.
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Rheinquerung: Nearly 70 km of AC cables, combining 20 km of 380 kV and 50 km of 110 kV lines to expand the national power network.
Together, these projects will help power Germany’s clean energy transition and are scheduled for commissioning between 2029 and 2031.
Supporting the Energy Transition
“Contracts like these drive forward the energy transition,” said Dr. Hendrik Neumann, CTO at Amprion. “Working with trusted partners like NKT ensures we stay on schedule and reach our climate goals.”
Meanwhile, NKT continues to see strong project growth. These new contracts raise its high-voltage order backlog to around €12 billion, building on the company’s positive momentum since 2023.
Expanding Local Production Capacity
To meet rising demand, NKT will invest in added high-voltage capacity at its Cologne plant. The investment will be rolled out gradually starting in 2027, helping increase cable output and manufacturing efficiency.
Furthermore, this expansion supports NKT’s ambition to achieve a Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) above 20% in the mid-term.
Advancing Sustainability and Local Jobs
Most cables for the projects will come from the Cologne facility, which operates entirely on renewable electricity. Producing nearby will reduce logistics time and emissions, cutting the overall carbon footprint.
Additionally, the project will create and sustain skilled jobs in Germany, reinforcing NKT’s commitment to sustainability, local production, and European clean energy leadership.