LS Cable & System to Build ‘Largest US Subsea Cable Factory’ in Virginia

July 10, 2024, by Adrijana Buljan

South Korea-based offshore wind cable manufacturer, LS Cable & System, has decided to build a manufacturing facility for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables in Virginia, which the company says will be the largest factory of this kind in the United States.

LS Cable & System / LS GreenLink new subsea cable factory in Virginia, visualization — Image: LS Cable & System

The factory will be built on a brownfield site in Chesapeake that spans some 396,700 square metres, with the facility itself occupying 70,000 square metres. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and the subsea cable factory is expected to be completed in 2027, according to LS Cable & System.

Through LS GreenLink, its US subsidiary, LS Cable & System will invest USD 681 million (approximately EUR 630 million) to build the new factory. The company has secured a total of USD 147 million in support from the state and federal governments, including state support of approximately USD 48 million (approx. EUR 44 million) and USD 99 million (approx. EUR 91 million) in investment tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from the Department of Energy (DOE).

According to a press release from the office of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Chesapeake, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and the Virginia Maritime Association to secure the project for Virginia. The Governor approved a USD 13.2 million (approx. EUR 12.2 million) grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Chesapeake with this project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

LS GreenLink’s subsea cable facility is expected to create over 330 full-time jobs, according to the Governor.

“LS GreenLink’s investment in Virginia will showcase the Commonwealth as a leader in offshore wind industry manufacturing,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “LS GreenLink has recognized that Virginia has the skilled talent, world-class logistics location, and business environment that will allow it to serve its growing global customers for submarine power cables.”

On the decision behind the new factory’s location, LS Cable & System says that, since most of the offshore wind capacity in the US is currently being promoted along the East Coast, the company sees Chesapeake City as the optimal location for bidding for new projects, as well as for shipping and transportation.

“This state-of-the-art facility represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and engineering,” said President & CEO of LS Cable & System Bon-Kyu Koo. “This facility will not only enhance our capability to meet the growing global demands for submarine power cables, but will also position us at the forefront of the industry.”