Sumitomo Electric Opens Highlands Cable Factory With Up to 250 Jobs
Sumitomo Electric's £350m subsea cable plant at Port of Nigg, Scotland, has opened and will create up to 250 direct jobs, with operator and technician roles open.
UKIn brief
- Sumitomo Electric opened the UK's first subsea HVDC cable factory at Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands on 19 October 2026.
- The company says the £350 million plant will create up to 250 direct jobs and support more than 400 more in the UK supply chain.
- Its careers site lists roles including production operator, electrical maintenance technician and an engineering register of interest.
- Local staff have trained in Japan, and UHI Inverness runs a cable-making course for Sumitomo employees.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables |
| Official source | ITV News – UK's first plant to build subsea cables opens in Highlands ✓ itv.com |
The UK's first factory for high-voltage subsea power cables is now open in the Scottish Highlands. Japan's Sumitomo Electric opened the £350 million plant at the Port of Nigg on 19 October 2026, and says it will create up to 250 direct jobs, with more than 400 more supported across the UK supply chain.
Recruitment is already under way, with factory and technical roles listed on the company's careers site.
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd |
| Location | Port of Nigg, Cromarty Firth, Highlands |
| Opened | 19 October 2026 |
| Investment | £350 million |
| Direct jobs | Up to 250 |
| Supply chain jobs | 400+ |
| Public support | £24.5m Scottish Government grant |
| Area | Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport |
Why it matters
Until now, the UK could not make the HVDC subsea cables that carry electricity from offshore wind farms to the grid. The Nigg factory changes that. Its first cables are linked to big grid projects run by SSEN Transmission and National Grid.
This kind of plant needs a steady, skilled workforce for many years, as more offshore wind and grid links are built around the UK.
Jobs on offer now
Sumitomo's official careers board lists roles including:
| Role | Area |
|---|---|
| Production Operator | Manufacturing |
| Electrical Maintenance Technician | Manufacturing |
| Mesh and Material Contamination Technician | Manufacturing |
| Engineering register of interest | Engineering |
| Junior Planner | Glasgow office |
| Management and Project Accountant | Glasgow office |
| Procurement roles | Glasgow office |
Training on offer
Sumitomo has trained local workers in Japan: 13 Scottish staff have already learned quality and precision skills there. UHI Inverness has run a course on undersea cable manufacturing for local employees, and the Green Freeport offers apprenticeships and training pathways.
How to apply
Apply through Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables' official careers page: jobs.jobvite.com/sumitomo-electric-power-cables/jobs. Engineers who do not see a matching role can join the engineering register of interest. No closing dates are shown, so apply early.
What it means for job seekers
- Highland workers have a new local employer. Production and maintenance roles suit people from oil and gas, fabrication or other plant work.
- Electrical skills are in demand. Maintenance technicians keep cable lines running around the clock.
- Training lowers the barrier. Operator roles come with company training, so heavy industry experience can be enough.
- More may follow. The construction firm behind the plant said Sumitomo has further plans as the industry grows.
More UK factory jobs: Rheinmetall's Telford gun factory and the UK industrial strategy jobs plans.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs will the Port of Nigg cable factory create?
Sumitomo says up to 250 direct jobs, plus more than 400 in the wider UK supply chain. Local papers put the local skilled jobs at over 200.
Where is the Sumitomo cable factory?
At the Port of Nigg on the Cromarty Firth, north of Inverness, inside the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
How do I apply for Sumitomo Electric jobs at Nigg?
Through Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables' official careers page, which lists current vacancies and an engineering register of interest.
Do I need cable-making experience?
Not always. The company and UHI Inverness provide training, and production operator roles are a common entry point.
Apply only on the official site.
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