Nexans has started the production of 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables for the LanWin2 offshore grid connection in Germany.
The France-based cable manufacturer says this marks the first industrial-scale production of its 525 kV HVDC cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) subsea technology. Production is taking place at Nexans’ facility in Halden, Norway.
Nexans secured the approximately EUR 1 billion contract for LanWin2 in January 2025 under a framework agreement signed with TenneT in 2023. The contract covers the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of around 250 kilometres of 525 kV HVDC onshore and offshore export cable systems.
The start of production follows the qualification of Nexans’ 525 kV HVDC XLPE subsea technology, moving the project from technology qualification into full-scale manufacturing and delivery, according to the company.
LanWin2, the 2 GW grid connection designed to transmit offshore wind power from the German North Sea to the Heide region in Schleswig-Holstein, also includes an offshore converter platform being delivered by the Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore consortium. First steel was cut for the platform in September 2025.
LanWin2 is expected to be commissioned in 2031, according to Nexans and TenneT.