LS GreenLink USA, a subsidiary of South Korea’s LS Cable & System, broke ground on April 28, 2025, for a $680–$700 million submarine power cable manufacturing facility in Chesapeake, Virginia, on a 96.6-acre site along the Southern Branch Elizabeth River. The 750,000-square-foot plant, featuring a 660-foot Vertical Continuous Vulcanization (VCV) tower—the tallest structure in Virginia—will produce high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables for offshore wind and energy infrastructure, with operations starting in Q1 2028. The facility, supported by a $99 million Inflation Reduction Act tax credit and a $13.2 million Virginia Opportunity Fund grant, will create over 330 jobs, boosting Chesapeake’s 25,000-strong manufacturing workforce. With contracts secured for 18 months, including with European grid operator Tennet, the plant targets a $10 billion global cable market, driven by AI data centers’ power needs (projected at 120 GW by 2030). CEO Bon-Kyu Koo emphasized “long-term growth” despite tariff concerns, aligning with President Trump’s 10% global tariffs and Virginia’s leadership in energy infrastructure.

For the precision machining industry, LS GreenLink’s facility underscores the critical role of depth of cut in manufacturing cable production equipment. Components like extrusion dies and tensioner rollers require CNC milling with a controlled depth of cut, typically 0.01–0.1 inches per pass, to achieve precise tolerances within ±0.001 inches for high-strength alloys. 5-axis milling machines, optimized with specific depths of cut and spindle speeds, ensure efficient material removal and surface finishes as low as 16 µin in automated systems with real-time quality control. The facility’s scale drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in Virginia, where manufacturing jobs have grown 2% since 2022, strengthening supply chains for energy infrastructure.

Source:

LS GreenLink USA Press Release, April 29, 2025

Source:

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Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is buzzing about LS GreenLink’s Chesapeake facility, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “game-changer” for Virginia. Users praised the 330+ jobs and 660-foot tower, with one noting “Chesapeake’s energy hub rises,” while another tied it to “reshoring under tariffs.” The excitement reflects optimism for economic growth and energy innovation.

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