With the proliferation of clean energy projects, high-voltage electrical cables have become one of the most critical bottlenecks in the global energy transition. Demand for these cables, which connect wind farms, solar farms, and the international power grid, is reaching record levels, while production capacity is falling far short of meeting this demand. These infrastructure components, which require specialized engineering and lengthy production processes, are causing years of delays in the supply chain.
The world demands electricity, but cable production can’t keep up.
According to data from the International Energy Agency, approximately 80 million kilometers of grid infrastructure must be built by 2040 to meet global clean energy targets. This means that the entire power grid, currently built over a century, would need to be rebuilt in just 15 years.
High-voltage cables are manufactured on specialized 200-meter-tall towers, and each cable’s design is individually determined based on the project’s needs. The production process for these high-tech products can take months.
Manufacturers report that 80 to 90 percent of large-scale projects currently utilize high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. This technology is preferred because it enables transmission over longer distances with less energy loss compared to traditional alternating current systems.
However, increasing demand has forced production lines into reserve for years. Companies are currently placing new orders in 2027 or later. The accelerating energy transition, increasing trade barriers, and the simultaneous launch of grid renovation projects that have been delayed for years in many countries are among the main reasons for this increased demand.
The unresolved high-voltage cable crisis poses a serious obstacle not only to new renewable energy projects but also to international energy trade and supply security. The energy sector emphasizes the need to rapidly increase production capacity and restructure supply chains to overcome this bottleneck.
