Japanese firm to invest £200 million in Highland cable plant
The Sumitomo Electric Industries plant will create 150 jobs
Last updated 18th May 2023
A Japanese corporation is to invest £200 million in an undersea cable factory in the Highlands.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the Sumitomo Electric Industries deal will create more than a hundred jobs in Nigg when the manufacturing plant is built.
The announcement coincides with the Prime Minister hosting a business reception in Tokyo today.
Speaking at the Port of Nigg, Mr Jack outlined how this is an "anchor deal" after the Cromarty Firth was awarded Green Freeport status earlier this year.
He said: "It's 150 direct jobs here in Nigg, they are highly paid and highly skilled jobs. That's a great thing.
"There will be 350 additional jobs and then support industry jobs behind that as well.
"It's a big boost for the area and it is an anchor deal for this new freeport.
"It's not a new port of course, it did oil and gas in the past, but it's got new status as a freeport.
"This is an anchor deal and other deals will come behind it."
The factory will make cables for use by offshore wind farms.
A deal involving Japanese investment and the Highlands was announced last month when Scottish Government Energy Secretary Neil Gray visited Japan on a three-day trip before further details were confirmed today.
Mr Gray said: "Sumitomo's proposed investment in Scotland can promote rapid expansion of the renewables industry by connecting hundreds of offshore wind turbines.
"I met senior company executives in Osaka last month to discuss this investment and we are working closely with our enterprise agencies and other partners to support and ensure it delivers maximum benefit for Scotland.
"These will be highly-skilled green jobs from a business with a strong record in producing high-voltage underground cables.
"The cables and the wind turbines they connect can help reduce emissions as part of the fastest possible just transition for our oil and gas workforce."