Japan, Europe Electric Wire Makers Expand High Voltage Supply Network

Japanese and European major electric wire makers try to expand output capacity of high voltage electric cable in third country. They build new large plant and plan expansion in North America and other areas with expectation for higher demand for infrastructure. They are likely to keep full capacity operations for another 2-3 years with enough order backlog and try to meet growing demand through the expansion. J-Power Systems Corporation, which is high voltage cable making joint venture of Sumitomo Electric Industries and Hitachi Cable, announced on Thursday the firm builds first plant in India. The firm starts the operation of the joint venture with local maker in 2010 to make cable for 60-400 kilovolt electricity transport. Furukawa Electric also doubles high voltage cable output capacity at the Chinese subsidiary, Shenyang Furukawa Cable by April 2008 to meet strong demand in China. Prysmian Cables and Systems of Italy announced in October the firm builds new high voltage cable plant in South Carolina starting operation in first half of 2009. The firm also established Indian joint venture for potential operation for high voltage products. Nexans of France announced the firm acquires South American largest cable maker, Madeco. Japanese and European makers are limited stable suppliers for high voltage cable with more than 200 kilovolt electricity transport. They expand the business in past 2-3 years through the advantage when emerging economies develop large scale infrastructure for the growth.