Scottish Enterprise has awarded a £9 million grant to XLCC, a high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable manufacturer, to support the development of its £1.4 billion Hunterston cable manufacturing facility. The facility, once fully operational, is expected to create 900 jobs. The grant comes as a crucial step to advance the cable manufacturing project, which received planning approval from North Ayrshire Council in May.

XLCC specializes in manufacturing HVDC cables, specifically designed for long-distance electricity transmission. These cables play a significant role in connecting power grids through undersea connectors, making them crucial for offshore renewable energy projects. The Hunterston facility aims to address the increasing demand for HVDC cables, with XLCC highlighting potential bottlenecks in the industry as subsea cable demand is projected to grow 2.5 times by 2030.

Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, expressed the importance of XLCC's plans for Hunterston in contributing to Scotland's offshore renewables capability. The grant is seen as a strategic investment to maximize economic benefits for the region and support the transition to green energy.

XLCC's Chief Executive, Ian Douglas, welcomed the grant and emphasized the company's commitment to building a greener future. The financial support from Scottish Enterprise will help set the Hunterston project on a strong foundation, enabling XLCC to play a vital role in Scotland's energy transition.