Breaking down the offshore wind cable market
Offshore wind cables are usually discussed as one shortage. But in practice, it’s three.
The offshore wind cables segment is normally analyzed as one uniform market. However, in practice, inter-array, HVAC export and HVDC export cables are three different supply chains with different buyers, constraints, and timelines.
Treating them as a single supply chain hides where the binding constraint actually sits.
Aegir Insights has broken down the value chain into inter-array, HVAC export and HVDC export cables, mapping all three segments end to end:
🔹Distinct supply chain and demand dynamics for each segment,
🔹Procurement models and bottlenecks,
🔹And potential exposure to Chinese entry.
What is the impact for developers, TSO’s and the wider supply chain?
Reach out to discuss.
Dive deeper into the cable market with Aegir Insights' mapping of the global subsea high voltage cable market:
- Three European majors hold a combined ~75% of the global subsea high voltage cable market, with full HVAC and HVDC capability, own CLV fleets, and deep order backlogs.
- Cable majors are vertically integrating into installation, burial, and lifecycle services, potentially partly in response to cable-related insurance claims.
- Chinese manufacturers are expanding internationally targeting Europe and the Middle East, and bolstering their presence with local partnerships.
The gap between companies that announce offshore wind cable capability and those that can deliver it at scale is wider than most expect. And this gap could become one of the defining bottlenecks for offshore wind deployment this decade.
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