NKT has begun construction of a new high-voltage power cable test centre at its manufacturing site in Karlskrona, Sweden, as part of a wider €1.3 billion expansion aimed at scaling up production and installation capacity.
The company said the new facility will be among the largest and most advanced of its kind globally and is designed to support both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power cable systems.
“The ground-breaking of our new test centre marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investments in Karlskrona,” said Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President at NKT. “Testing is a vital component in ensuring a high level of quality and reliability, and the new facility will enhance our leading position within the testing of high-voltage power cable systems.”
“It will also enable us to prepare for testing of future cable technologies with new materials, higher voltage levels, and potentially longer cable lengths,” Fennell added.
Spanning approximately 4,000 square metres, the centre is expected to become operational in 2027. It will support a full range of testing activities, including material and process development, sample and routine testing, and post-installation and site acceptance testing.
As part of the project, NKT is continuing its long-term collaboration with Hitachi Energy and ABB. Hitachi Energy is supplying specially designed shunt reactors, while ABB will provide the drive and control systems for the test facility.
“Our partnership with NKT is a testament to the power of collaboration in accelerating a sustainable energy future,” said Tobias Hansson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy in Sweden. “By providing cutting-edge technology and support, we are enhancing NKT’s testing capabilities and contributing to a more sustainable and electrified future.”
The test centre will play a central role in supporting the development of next-generation power cable solutions, as demand for grid infrastructure grows across Europe. The expansion also includes NKT Eleonora, a new cable-laying vessel designed to increase installation efficiency.
