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Google and CTC Global announce initiative that will boost U.S. transmission capacity

Google has announced a collaborative effort with CTC Global to help accelerate grid upgrades across the United States by funding deployment of advanced transmission conductors.

A press release said that the joint move seeks to expand power capacity in regions where Google’s growth in data centers is heightening electricity requirements, aiming to improve reliability and support renewable integration. CTC Global’s ACCC conductors have been used in more than 1,350 projects spanning 65 countries to upgrade transmission lines in strategic U.S. markets.

“Expanding transmission capacity presents a significant opportunity for the power system today,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s global head of data center energy. She noted that by accelerating reconductoring, the project could “dramatically cut the time and cost of adding and moving electricity to reliably power American homes and businesses.”

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LS C&S quadruples HVDC cable capacity through addition of cable production plant

South Korea’s LS Cable & System (LS C&S) announced that it has completed construction of its fifth submarine cable plant in Donghae-si, Gangwon-do, expanding its HVDC (high-voltage direct current) submarine cable production capacity by more than four times.

A press release said that with the expansion, LS Cable & System has the largest HVDC cable production facility in Asia and has greatly enhanced its competitiveness in large-scale global projects. “Combined with the recent decision by affiliate LS Marine Solution to build a dedicated HVDC cable laying vessel, the completion of this facility is expected to be an opportunity for LS Cable & System to fully establish its turnkey performance capabilities, which encompass everything from production to construction.”

The addition of a vertical continuous vulcanization (VCV) line to the fifth submarine cable plant has significantly improved production competitiveness and supply stability for submarine cables. The HVDC cable market is growing, “but due to the high level of technical difficulty and the need for large-scale infrastructure, other than LS Cable & System, there are only a few manufacturers in Europe and Japan that can supply these cables.” For long-distance HVDC construction, a dedicated cable laying vessel of 10,000 tons or more is essential, so only companies with both production and construction capabilities can meet global demand, it said.

Of note, LS C&S’s affiliate, LS Marine Solution, recently announced the construction of a dedicated HVDC cable laying vessel with a displacement of more than 10,000 tons. This vessel will allow the company not only to manufacture long-length cable in-house but also to transport and install it worldwide, a critical advantage in the global HVDC market.

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JDR Cable Systems to test umbilical cables for use in Middle East offshore platforms

JDR Cable Systems (JDR), part of the TFKable Group, has secured a service contract from Indian multinational Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to test umbilical cables for offshore operations in the Middle East.

A press release said that the contract, which starts in the second quarter of this year, covers testing of 14 umbilical cables across multiple platforms under two major scopes of work. The project will involve critical pre-deployment and integration testing, as well as monitoring during lay operations.

JDR will provide offshore equipment, experienced technicians, and technical support, with the work managed from its U.K. service center in Newcastle. Multiple staff rotations offshore are planned to support the testing and installation phases.

“This contract reflects the strength of our service offering and the ability of our team to deliver technically complex work in the Middle East,” said Alan Combe, EMEA service sales manager for JDR. “It’s a region full of opportunity and an important part of our long-term focus.”

JDR Chief Sales Officer Carl Pilmer added that the company sees continued opportunity in the Middle East. “As we consolidate our presence, this project is a good example of how we’re supporting customers with reliable and high-quality service delivery.

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ArcelorMittal to sell Bosnia steel mill that had set a record for wire rod production

ArcelorMittal will divest its Bosnia-Herzegovina operations—including the Zenica steelworks and Prijedor iron ore mine—to the locally based Pavgord Group.

A press release said that the company cited ongoing global steel market volatility and years of investment as key reasons behind the sale. The company has operated in Bosnia for 21 years and has invested significantly in the facilities. A Reuters report said that the Bosnian operations have faced challenges, including losses in 2023 and 2024 due to declining steel demand in Europe. The company closed its coke plant in Zenica in 2024, citing rising production costs and lower demand.

The transaction will see roughly 2,700 employees, across both facilities, retained by Pavgord. The agreement is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2025.

ArcelorMittal Zenica operates with an annual production capacity close to 1 million tons and employs over 2,000 people. The factory is an integrated facility with steelmaking and finishing operations, supplying billets, wire rods, and wires, among other products

Of note, Zenica was described as the largest producer of long products in the Balkans. It set a wire rod production record in January 2023 when it produced 43,200 tons, topping the prior record in March 2022 of 41,700 tons.

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Last modified on August 4, 2025

Google announces the ‘Sol’ transatlantic subsea cable, will link Florida and Europe

“Sol,” a new transatlantic subsea cable designed to enhance global connectivity by directly linking Florida with Europe.

A press release said that Sol will run parallel to Google’s previously announced Nuvem subsea cable, which connects South Carolina, Bermuda, the Azores, and Portugal. Unlike Nuvem, Sol will include a landing point at Google’s new Palm Coast Cable Landing Station (CLS) in Florida, expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027.

Google notes that Sol will be the only in-service, private fiber-optic cable running directly between Florida and Europe once launched. It is being manufactured in the U.S. and will support Google’s global data infrastructure, which includes 42 cloud regions. The name of the cable supplier was not included, but SubCom, based in the U.S., has supplied four projects that included Google.

Google described the Sol cable as boosting network capacity, reliability, and latency improvements for global users, although no specific technical specifications have been disclosed.

While the concept of undersea cables is well established, the pace of deployment is accelerating as tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta invest heavily in building dedicated infrastructure to support cloud growth, AI-powered applications, and network resilience. Globally, Google has participated in more than 30 subsea cable projects—as owner, partner or investor—including recent systems such as Equiano (Europe to Africa), Firmina (U.S. to South America), and Grace Hopper (U.S. to the U.K. and Spain). Reports say the surge reflects a broader trend for leading tech companies increasingly prioritizing direct control over critical data routes to meet rising demand and ensure reliable global connectivity.

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Sweden’s Axjo to open its 2nd U.S. reel production plant, this one to be in Texas

Sweden’s Axjo Group is expanding the scope of its reel business market by opening a new production facility in Haltom City, Texas.

A press release said that the company plans to begin production at its new 160,586-sq-ft facility, located just outside Fort Worth, in January. The site will support the full U.S. product portfolio, mirroring operations at Axjo’s North Carolina plant. Production of spools and larger cable reels, starting at 30 in. and up, will open doors to new business opportunities across the North American market. The expansion into Texas further strengthens Axjo’s presence in North America and reinforces its role in the global supply chain. The facility will start with 30 employees.

“This is a natural next step for Axjo Group,” said Axjo Group Owner Jacob Nilsson. “We’re clearly seeing a shift in the U.S. market demand for our sustainable cable spools and reels that is growing rapidly. ... it’s only natural to be where our customers are, with local production and a strong presence.”

“Establishing a second U.S. site is a major milestone for us,” said Tim Schultz, CEO of Axjo America. “This expansion brings us closer to our customers in the Southwest and unlocks new opportunities to deliver locally produced, high-performance cable spools and reels with lower environmental impact. It’s a win for business, for the planet, but most of all, for our customers.”

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SubCom chosen to supply 800 km of cable to extend existing Bahrain cable system

Beyon, a Bahrain-based digital infrastructure provider, announced that it has chosen SubCom to provide the cable for Khaleej North, an 800-km submarine cable system that will further expand the existing Al Khaleej Cable by connecting Bahrain with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

Per a report at bizbahrain.com, the project will expand Beyon’s existing Al Khaleej Cable, which SubCom originally supplied and currently operates. Beyon is a Bahrain-based digital infrastructure provider focused on delivering advanced connectivity solutions across the Gulf region. The new Khaleej North cable will link Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. It will also connect into the SEA-ME-WE 6 system, a 21,700-km high-capacity submarine network linking Bahrain with 14 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Beyon Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa described the partnership with SubCom as “strategic and essential” to Bahrain’s digital economy ambitions. “Enhancing our connectivity with greater speed capacity and resilience is vital to building a strong digital foundation,” he said.

SubCom CEO David Coughlan said that the Khaleej North cable will meet rising demand from hyperscalers enterprises cloud providers and government entities by strengthening network resilience and data exchange pathways.

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NEC chosen to supply cable for 8,900 km East Asian submarine cable system

NEC Corporation has been selected to build the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East) submarine cable system, which will connect Singapore and Japan with links to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.

Per multiple reports, the 8,900 km submarine cable system will increase capacity in the East Asia region. It is being built in anticipation of the rapid growth of network traffic from artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled applications. One of the key participants in the project is Singtel (Singapore Telecommunications Limited), which is Singapore’s principal telecommunications conglomerate and the country’s largest mobile network operator. It is chairing and co-leading a consortium that includes multiple major telecom and technology companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, ARTERIA Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, DREAMLINE, Globe Telecom, Telekom Malaysia and Unified National Networks.

NEC did not issue a public statement about the project, but its importance was described by Alan Tan, chairperson of the consortium committee, and Singtel’s director of submarine cable planning. “The surge in demand for high-speed connectivity and the bandwidth needed for AI innovation in the region makes developing resilient, high-capacity digital infrastructure more important than ever.” 

Citing figures from Omdia, Singtel stated that, by 2031, global network traffic from AI and AI-enhanced applications is expected to exceed that from conventional applications. By 2033, it is projected that approximately 62% of global monthly network traffic will come from AI and AI-enabled applications. “This investment will play a critical role in advancing digital inclusion and catalyzing economic growth across the region,” Tan said.

The AUG East submarine cable system is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2029. Per Singtel, the project will deploy a “high-count fiber pair system” capable of supporting millions of simultaneous ultra-high-definition video streams. 

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Southwire success comes in multiple forms

Southwire recently reported advances that have been achieved, both on and beyond the shop floor, with the results made possible by its approach to technical innovation, talent development and inclusive growth.

At its Kentucky plant, the company reported that it has completed modernization and expansion projects that have nearly doubled the facility’s size to over 800,000 sq ft and increased its workforce from 427 to 561, with further growth underway. The upgrades included advanced equipment such as wire stranders and coiling machines to boost production capacity, improved safety and enabled the plant to serve a broader range of markets. It noted that infrastructure enhancements and a focus on ergonomics have contributed to a record-low incident rate. The plant’s commitment extends beyond operations, with significant charitable donations and over 700 volunteer hours logged in 2024, earning it the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award.

Southwire was also recognized for making inclusion a core value at Southwire, as seen by its selection by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2025. The company’s DEI strategy is led by Chief Inclusion Officer Cara Herzog, who oversees efforts to foster an equitable workplace through expanded benefits, partnerships with organizations like Women in Manufacturing, and the installation of Nessel lactation stations across all facilities.

Southwire’s initiatives range from paid parental leave to employee resource groups promote work-life balance and support for women at every level. The company’s recognition is based on employee feedback and independent evaluation, affirming its role as an employer of choice and an industry leader in diversity and inclusion. 

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Singapore company orders CLV vessel

Singapore-based Megamas Resources has placed an order with Norway’s Ulstein Design & Solutions AS to design it a next-generation cable-laying and repair vessel that will be built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven.

A press release said that the vessel, based on Ulstein’s SX228 design, will be nearly 122 m long with a 23-m beam, a deadweight of 8,200 mt and a cable capacity of 5,500 mt. It will feature advanced dynamic positioning, allowing operations in waters as shallow as 15 m. Key features include two cable tanks (one with a carousel), a guided spooler, an integrated hangar for trenching ROVs, and a stern A-frame for plough deployment. Ulstein’s signature X-BOW hullform will enhance stability and reduce cable strain in rough conditions.

Megamas plans to introduce two of these advanced, fuel-efficient vessels, with the first expected to enter service in early 2026, supporting both telecommunications and offshore wind sectors.

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