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Prysmian reports that it has signed a Framework Agreement with Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE), the French TSO, for the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (“EPCI”) of submarine power cable links.

A press release said that the links will connect two offshore wind farms to the French transmission grid, specifically the “Fos Project” and the “Narbonnaise Project”, covering both submarine and land parts (including also landfall works). The projects are subject to call off by RTE and finalization of the terms of the relevant EPCI contracts, which are expected to occur during the period 2026-2027. Delivery and commissioning is set for 2031-2032. These two EPCI contracts are altogether estimated at a potential value of approximately €700 million.

Each single project will consist of three High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) 225 kV three-core export cables with XLPE insulation, all equipped with synthetic armor. The approximately 400 km of land cables will be produced locally, in Gron, France, while the approximately 240 km of submarine cables will be manufactured at Prysmian’s centre of excellence in Arco Felice, Italy, and Pikkala, Finland, for a grand total of approx. 640 km of cables (land and submarine). Installation operation will be carried out using one of Prysmian’s proprietary advanced cable-laying vessels.

The Fos Project will be located on the coast of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and will require some 300 km of cables (land and submarine), while the Narbonnaise Project, located on the coast of Occitanie will require about 340 km of cables (land and submarine), providing individually a potential capacity of 750 MW.

The projects were described as having strategic importance for RTE’s long-term plan power grid plans. Prysmian has a strong relationship with RTE from previous projects such as the France-Spain (Bay of Biscay), France – UK (IFA2) and Italy-France (Piedmont-Savoy) interconnections. “The development of offshore wind in France confirms Prysmian’s leadership in the sector, following the completed projects for submarine power cables in other offshore wind farms such as Fécamp, Calvados and Saint Nazaire and ongoing projects as Noirmoutier.”

Taihan has been awarded a project from Korea South-East Power Co. (KOEN) for South Korea’s first extra-long continuous underground power grid project.

A press release said that the extra-long continuous cable technology enables the production and installation of cables exceeding 1 km in length in a single stretch, more than doubling the average production length of approximately 500 m previously used in Korea. The technology eliminates the need for intermediate cable joints, allowing a single cable to cover the entire grid section. That capability reduces manufacturing and construction costs, shortens construction timelines and enhances efficiency as well as minimizes the risk of faults, thereby improving the reliability of power supply.

“KOEN adopted this method to catch up with advanced overseas technologies and implement cutting-edge infrastructure domestically,” the release said. Taihan, based in South Korea, will also transport the 345 kV extra high-voltage cables and cable accessories, as well as provide cable installation and electrical construction. The company noted that it had successfully constructed a 400 kV underground power grid, Singapore’s highest voltage level, using cables with lengths of approximately 1.9 km.

In other news, Taihan announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Top-Tier Hyosung Group​ for “technical cooperation in the power industry and discovery of new business models.”

A press release said that Taihan will collaborate on the joint development and commercialization of eco-friendly new materials with Hyosung Chemical​. The plan involves developing eco-friendly polypropylene (PP) material, a next-generation cable insulation material, to achieve localization and boost their competitive edge in the global arena. That use enables a simpler cable production process than those made with traditional XLPE-insulation, resulting in cables with effective power transmission that are suitable for HVDC, a key facility for efficient long-distance transmission. Being a thermoplastic resin, the polypropylene cables are recyclable post-use and have minimal CO2 emissions during the production process, a plus in advanced markets like Europe, where carbon neutrality standards are stringent.

Dallas-based private equity firm Crossplane Capital has completed the acquisition of Distributor Wire and Cable (DWC), a distributor of specialty wire and cable products, for an undisclosed price.

A press release said that the company, founded in 2008 in Denver, Colorado, operates from its five warehouse locations nationwide to supply end users across the industrial, commercial, residential and utility markets. “Since founding DWC, we have focused on building a culture of growth and collaboration, and (this partnership) will help us continue that legacy,” said DWC Founder Bryce Huett.

LS Cable & System (LS C&S) has signed a significant contract with TenneT Offshore, the German subsidiary of the Dutch state-owned power company TenneT, for an offshore wind farm project.

A press release said that the contract—valued at 907.3 billion won (approximately $700 million)—is for the TenneT Offshore’s LanWin4 2 GW project. LS C&S will supply ultra-high voltage direct current (HVDC) 525 kV submarine and underground cables as well as provide necessary accessories, perform electrical connection work and conduct on-site testing to ensure the project’s success. The contract will see cable supplied through 2031.

The contract continues LS C&S’s established relationship with TenneT. It had previously been chosen to supply cable for projects that include offshore wind farms in the North Sea of Europe, and others, that were valued significantly more than the latest one.

TenneT, a prominent European electricity transmission system operator, is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the high-voltage grid in the Netherlands and Germany.

Insteel Industries, which recently acquired the assets of Engineered Wire Products (EWP), has closed the EWP plant in Warren, Ohio, and will move production there to other Insteel plants.

A press release said that the Warren plant was part of the company’s recent $70 million asset transaction with EWC through its subsidiary, Insteel Wire Products Co. EWC operates wire drawing, welding and mesh fabrication facilities in upper Sandusky and Warren, Ohio.

The plan is to close the Warren facility, where work has ceased and some 35 positions were eliminated. Production there will be shifted to other Insteel plants. “Given the low capacity utilization levels at our Warren facility and the dim prospects for improvement, we believe this action is essential to reducing our operating costs and strengthening our competitive position” said Insteel CEO President and CEO H. Woltz III. Insteel is the nation’s largest manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction applications. See p. 47 for more details about the company.

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