- NKT is expanding its high-voltage submarine power cable factory in Karlskrona, Sweden, building a 200-meter high cable tower.
- The production will be running around the clock and ensuring stable power supply is therefore a top priority.
- ABB will supply the factory and the extrusion tower with electrical power in a comprehensive turnkey solution including UniGear ZS1.
One of the largest construction projects in the country is currently underway to expand NKT’s factory in Karlskrona, Sweden, increasing the capacity to meet growing need for offshore high-voltage power cabling. To keep electricity flowing to this pivotal project, NKT has partnered with ABB Distribution Solutions to deliver the power supply to the expanded facilities.
The production facility will be expanded with a new factory and a third extrusion tower, making it the world’s largest high-voltage offshore cable factory. NKT’s expanded site will produce high-voltage submarine power cables for up to 640 kV DC, which play a critical role in supporting the global energy transition.
We are happy to be part of NKT's journey to enable the transition to renewable energy with high-tech submarine cables," says Håkan Morling, responsible for Solutions at ABB Distribution Solutions in Sweden. Photo: ABB. 
NKT's new cable tower under construction. Photo: NKT. 
ABB electrifies NKT's new cable tower. Photo: NKT.
In the tower, power cables hang in a vertical position while its insulation system is applied and ensuring uninterrupted power is therefore a top priority as production will be running around the clock. According to NKT, the production plant will be supplied with 100 percent renewable electricity and the electricity infrastructure will be placed in two new distribution stations.
“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 will deliver 90 UniGear ZS1 switchgear panels and peripheral equipment such as busbar packs, cross-connection cabinets and 110 V DC LS systems with batteries. The UniGear ZS1 switchgear has been used for 25 years to distribute uninterrupted power in demanding applications, and is highly regarded in the industry due to its high standards of safety and reliability. The assignment also includes 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.”
As part of the global energy infrastructure, submarine high-voltage power cables are an important piece of the puzzle in the transition to renewable energy. 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.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
NKT connects a greener world with high-quality power cable technology and takes centre stage as the world moves towards green energy. NKT designs, manufactures and installs low-, medium- and high-voltage power cable solutions enabling sustainable energy transmission. Since 1891, NKT has innovated the power cable technology building the infrastructure for the first light bulbs to the megawatts created by renewable energy today. NKT is headquartered in Denmark and employs 6,000 people. NKT is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and realised a revenue of EUR 2.6 billion in 2023. www.NKT.com.
