A joint venture between Danish power cable manufacturer NKT and Taiwanese cable company Walsin Lihwa has launched Taiwan’s first offshore power cable factory.
Operated by Walsin Energy Cable System (WECS), the factory was inaugurated on 6 December in Kaohsiung, covering 231,000 square metres.
This facility, equipped with a 50-metre extrusion tower, will produce high- and medium-voltage AC offshore power cables for Taiwan’s offshore wind market.
“The inauguration of the WECS offshore cable factory is a moment of pride and an important milestone. Since forming the partnership in 2023, Walsin Lihwa and NKT have combined expertise to create this state-of-the-art factory,” said Claes Westerlind, CEO of NKT.
“This achievement embodies our shared vision of accelerating the global clean energy transition and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure. NKT is honoured to contribute to Taiwan’s energy autonomy and net-zero emissions.”
According to NKT, this marks Taiwan’s first localized submarine cable production site, a significant step into offshore cable manufacturing.
Commercial production is set to begin in 2027 after type tests and prequalification.
“We are delighted to collaborate with NKT, whose leading technology and expertise – coupled with our shared commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance – enabled us to complete the factory in record time. This partnership is a major milestone in Taiwan’s green energy transition and opens new opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market,” said Yu-Lon Chiao, Chairman of WECS.
The partners announced the joint venture in February 2023 to facilitate the factory’s construction. In March, NKT and Walsin Lihwa signed agreements for the joint venture and associated service and technology licensing agreements.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in September the same year.
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