Scotland-based subsea cable player XLCC has been relaunched as Aquora to address the critical demand for high-voltage cable supply in the UK and Europe.

Aquora arrives at a pivotal moment for the UK energy industry. With 8.4GW of offshore wind sanctioned through the AR7 auction, attention is switching to the renewables supply chain and the UK’s structural shortage of cable installation and manufacture.

Some industry sources estimate that approximately 100,000 km of high-voltage cables will be required over the next 10 years for European offshore wind and interconnectors. Historically, the region has installed around 3,500 km per year.

The newly rebranded company will focus on installation first, utilising a new cable-lay vessel, with cable supplied by Orient Cables. Once established as a market participant, Aquora will commence factory construction for a cable manufacturing capacity in Scotland.

The company will combine a UK-flagged cable layer with maintenance services for critical infrastructure, including emergency response for UK high-voltage cables damaged by third parties. 

Aquora will employ around 150 to 200 people but will look to add around 800 more workers in the high-voltage cable manufacturing facility in Scotland.

 “Securing the UK’s transition to homegrown, low-carbon power is constrained not by generation, but by lack of infrastructure. Developers need cable installation capacity now – not in a decade’s time. Aquora will meet that market demand, and by delivering at pace, create a financeable path to cable manufacturing in Scotland,” said Ragnhild Katteland, Aquora designate CEO.