The construction site of Far East Cable's submarine cable project at Yangkou Port, Rudong county, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Far East Cable's submarine cable project, located in Yangkou Port, Rudong, is gearing up for trial operation by the end of the second quarter. With a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($415.26 million), the project is poised to support China's burgeoning offshore wind power industry.

The project incorporates state-of-the-art equipment and production technology, allowing for the continuous manufacturing of long-length, high-voltage submarine cables and catering to the increasing demand for large-capacity offshore wind power. Once fully operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce 2,000 kilometers of fiber-optic composite cables and specialty power cables, along with 6,000 km of high-performance fiber-optic submarine cables and 27,000 cable accessories, with a target annual output value of 10 billion yuan.

Previously, Far East's cable products primarily involved onshore assembly for offshore wind power, but the new Rudong base aims to expand its focus to ocean-centric applications, providing key services for offshore wind power transmission. The project's main technological breakthrough involves direct current cables of over 500 kV for deep-sea transmission.

According to Xu Tao, director of the general manager's office at Far East, wharfs with capacities of tens of thousands of metric tons are crucial for transporting submarine cables. The government-funded 50,000-tonne capacity berth at Yangkou Port saved the company billions in infrastructure costs and was a major reason behind the decision to establish operations there.

Additionally, the port offers Far East Cable an expanded gateway for international trade.

Rudong was one of the first counties in China to develop the offshore wind power industry, and over the years it has attracted a robust ecosystem, consisting largely of manufacturers of turbines and blades.