In this episode of Zero, host Akshat Rathi talks with Claes Westerlind, CEO of Danish cable maker NKT, about the soaring global demand for high-voltage power cables, now a major bottleneck in the clean energy transition, reports Bloomberg. Westerlind breaks down the reasons behind the delays: steep costs, long production timelines, and a risk-averse industry. HVDC cables, in particular, are highly specialized, requiring custom engineering and ultra-pure insulation, with undersea versions built to resist extreme pressure and corrosion.
This complexity makes manufacturing slow and expensive. While past uncertainties held back investment, firms like NKT are now expanding production, helped by clearer demand from governments. At the same time, China’s rise in the sector raises concerns over fair competition. Western firms still lead in advanced HVDC tech, but strategic autonomy is now a growing priority.
