LS Cable & System announced on April 29 that it has launched construction of the largest undersea cable manufacturing facility in the United States through its subsidiary, LS GreenLink. This marks the first large-scale factory project undertaken by a Korean company in the U.S. since the beginning of former President Trump's second term, signaling a robust intent to penetrate global markets despite the backdrop of rising protectionism.
The new plant will be located in Chesapeake, Virginia, covering a site of 396,700 square meters along the Elizabeth River, with a total floor area of approximately 70,000 square meters. The facility is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2027, with mass production slated to commence in the first quarter of 2028. Additionally, expansions to the facility will be considered to meet growing global demand.
Key production equipment will include a 201-meter tall Vertical Continuous Vulcanization (VCV) tower and dedicated port facilities. This infrastructure will enable LS Cable & System to manage the manufacturing, transportation, and supply of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) undersea cables comprehensively. Notably, the VCV tower will be the tallest structure in Virginia and is anticipated to be the highest industrial facility from Philadelphia to Charlotte along the East Coast.
Through this factory construction, LS Cable & System aims to enhance the limited undersea cable production capabilities in the United States and proactively address the U.S. government's supply chain independence strategy. This initiative is part of a broader plan to establish LS Cable & System as a key hub for global undersea projects, not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and the Middle East.
The project is also expected to create over 330 quality jobs in the local community.
Gu Bon-kyu, President of LS Cable & System, stated that "the construction of the LS GreenLink factory marks a critical turning point in LS Cable & System's evolution into a global energy infrastructure company," adding, "We will swiftly respond to the surging global demand for undersea cables based on world-class manufacturing infrastructure."
Kim Ki-soo, Director of LS GreenLink, noted, "We have already secured 18 months' worth of export volume for Europe," emphasizing that the AI data center power demand in the U.S. is expected to reach 32 GW by 2024, which is half of South Korea's annual electricity demand (62 GW), and is projected to triple to 120 GW by 2030, significantly driving demand for undersea cables.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin welcomed the groundbreaking, stating, "The commencement of LS GreenLink is a symbolic representation of Virginia's manufacturing competitiveness and innovative capabilities," and highlighted its contribution to job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Chesapeake Mayor Rick West also commented, "This investment represents the largest single private investment in Chesapeake's history and will serve as a catalyst for our city to become a crucial hub in the global energy supply chain."
LS Cable & System is looking forward to realizing business synergies with its subsidiaries such as LS Marine Solutions and LS Eco Energy through this project.
