Emtelle USA, which just named a new president for its USA division, is poised to provide fiber optic infrastructure that meets the stringent Build America, Buy America compliance standards.

At its website, the company, a division of Scotland’s Emtelle Group, notes that its pre-connectorized blown fiber cable and ducted network solutions are produced at its 300,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Fletcher, North Carolina. That includes microduct tube bundles and pre-connectorized fiber solutions.

In September 2024, Emtelle USA enhanced its testing capabilities by adding an advanced test track to the Fletcher facility. This addition allows for rigorous testing of microduct and cable solutions under real-world installation conditions.

The Fletcher facility is positioned to capitalize on the estimated multi-billion dollar investments in fiber rollouts across the U.S. in the coming years. Emtelle’s expansion in North America complements its established global manufacturing network, which includes facilities in the U.K., Denmark, Germany and Dubai.

Prysmian announced the names of the two vessels that will join the company’s fleet: the Prysmian Alessandro Volta and the Prysmian Marco Polo.

A press release said that the new additions will expand Prysmian’s fleet to a total of eight operational vessels, further strengthening the company’s leadership in the global submarine cable market. Both vessels will boast outstanding green credentials, including high-voltage shore connection systems for clean energy during loading operations, diesel generators suitable for biodiesel blends, and battery hybrid systems for the deep-water vessel.

The Prysmian Alessandro Volta pays tribute to the esteemed Italian physicist and chemist (1745-1827). The vessel is about 193 meters long and 34 meters wide. It will feature advanced cable installation solutions, including three carousels with a total capacity of 19,500 metric tons. It will be operational in 2027. The name choice marks the strong link with Prysmian core business, which is producing and installing power cable to provide electrical connection among countries.

The Prysmian Marco Polo, named after the famed explorer/merchant (1254-1324), is about 167 meters long and 40 meters wide. It will have two carousels, one split into two concentric sections, with a total cable loading capacity of at least 8,000 metric tons. The vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art DP3 positioning and seakeeping systems. It will be operational in 2025.

Sequel Wire and Cable reports that it has received an investment from Cuprum Holdings, LLC, and is launching a new company called Sequel Wire and Cable Holdings, LLC (SWCH).

A press release from Sequel Wire, based in Argos, Indiana, said that the transaction will provide enhanced access to financing, which will speed up planned expansions and create additional capacity to broaden the product offerings. Sequel’s current operating structure remains intact and is now renamed Sequel OEM Group, LLC, under SWCH. Rich Carr will serve as president and CEO of the Sequel OEM Group. Mike Frigo and Denise Feece will remain in their current roles.

Jim Coleman is the president and CEO of SWCH, and Gary Yetman is the executive chairman. Each man has more than 35 years of industry experience, including leadership positions at Coleman Cable, which acquired Copperfield, LLC, in 2007 from Carr, who was its president. The new entity, called Sequel Low Voltage Group, LLC, will also be under SWCH.

“For employees and the Argos area, this new partnership is great news,” the release said. It noted that more skilled employees will eventually be needed to meet the expanded manufacturing capacity as new product lines are introduced. The Argos area continues to be a great place for the expansion of facilities and will remain as the Sequel OEM Group headquarters.

NKT has been awarded two turnkey projects in Germany under the existing multi-year framework agreement with TenneT, a Dutch-German transmission system operator.

A press release said that the projects are part of TenneT’s 2GW Program, which is considered a very ambitious infrastructure initiative in the energy transition of Europe. It calls for NKT to provide TennetT with 525 kV XLPE high-voltage direct current (HVDC) on- and offshore power cable systems for the two projects: LanWin7 and a part of the NordOstLink.

The two projects, expected to be completed in 2026-27, have a total value topping €1 billion. That price includes engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI). A total of five projects have now been awarded to NKT under the framework agreement, which runs until 2028 with possible extension until 2031.

“We are thrilled to once again be selected as a key partner for TenneT’s ambitious 2GW Program,” said NKT CEO Claes Westerlind. “We look forward to applying our advanced power cable technology to these two additional projects in Germany, which will enable the energy transition in Europe by facilitating the efficient transport of wind power from the North Sea to the onshore grid.”

The LanWin7 route project, which includes an on- and offshore 525 kV XLPE HVDC power cable system, is 320 km. It is one of the offshore grid connection systems planned to connect to the multi-terminal hub in the area of Pöschendorf, Schleswig-Holstein. This so-called NordHub will integrate multiple direct current (DC) and AC connections, facilitating the efficient transport of wind power from the North Sea to the onshore grid.

The NordOstLink (partial) project involves laying additional cables to enhance the capacity and flexibility of the grid. The onshore 525 kV HVDC power cable system length is 65 km. The contract calls for work to be activated in 2026-27, with commissioning completed in 2033-34.