XLCC

XLCC Limited, established in 2020, is a pivotal UK-based entity in the global energy transition, specializing in the provision of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cables. The company's core business encompasses the engineering, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of these critical components for the renewable energy sector. XLCC is addressing a pronounced global shortage of HVDC cables, a market where demand is projected to outpace supply by 2.5 times by 2030, driven by the worldwide shift towards electrification and Net Zero targets.

The company is led by CEO Ian Douglas, a veteran with over two decades of leadership in the subsea cable industry, including a decade as CEO of Global Marine Group. His extensive background in delivering high-value engineering projects across energy and telecommunications is central to XLCC's strategy. The leadership team includes professionals with substantial experience in finance, business development, and high-voltage cable technology from firms like The Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs, and Nexans. Project Director Alan Mathers brings 30 years of professional services experience, including senior roles at Accenture and in private equity, with specific expertise in managing subsea pipeline projects.

To meet market demand, XLCC is constructing the UK's first and one of the world's largest HVDC cable manufacturing facilities at a brownfield site in Hunterston, Scotland. This £1.4 billion project is strategically located next to a deep-water harbor, facilitating direct loading of cables onto installation vessels. The factory is set to commence production around 2026, with an initial capacity of 1,300 km of cable annually, scalable to 2,600 km. The operation will generate approximately 1,200 high-skilled jobs, including 200 apprenticeships, significantly impacting the local economy. To build its workforce, XLCC has established a dedicated training academy in Irvine in partnership with Ayrshire College.

XLCC's business model is centered on manufacturing and long-term service contracts. Its first major order is to supply four 3,800km subsea cables for the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, designed to transmit solar and wind energy from the Sahara to the UK. The company has also secured memoranda of understanding for other domestic projects. XLCC has successfully completed its development funding round, securing significant investments from public and private entities, including the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and the Scottish National Investment Bank, which have committed up to £87.5 million and £20 million respectively. The company is now focused on a £1.5 billion construction funding round to bring the factory to full operation.

Keywords: HVDC subsea cable, energy transition, renewable energy infrastructure, power transmission, cable manufacturing, Hunterston Scotland, green industry, subsea engineering, offshore wind, interconnectors, clean energy, UK manufacturing, electrification, project finance, Xlinks, Alan Mathers, Ian Douglas, Scottish National Investment Bank, UK Infrastructure Bank, Ayrshire economy, energy supply chain