Energy InfrastructureSupporting social infrastructure through advanced technology development capabilities, installation capabilities and stable quality
The Energy Infrastructure segment is made up of the power cable business and industrial cable & power cable accessories business. These businesses provide manufacturing, sales and installation of extra-high voltage, high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage power cable and equipment.
Business environment and background
Increased use of offshore wind power is essential for realizing carbon neutrality
Efforts are accelerating with the aim of realizing carbon neutrality by 2050. Within the types of renewable energy, there are expectations for the large-scale use of offshore wind power, and as one of Japan’ premier power cable manufacturers, Furukawa Electric will provide power transmission systems that leverage our accumulated technological capability in submarine power cable. Also, for the “wide-area interconnections” that will deliver the power generated by offshore wind power to consumer regions, the use of extra-high voltage direct current submarine cable is being considered. The expectations for our technological capability are steadily growing.
Labor shortages due to an aging society are becoming a more severe social issue
As the working age population declines due to the aging society, labor shortages at factories and other jobs are becoming a severe issue. As a result, the needs to reduce installation and maintenance workload and increase the work efficiency are increasing, and this trend is also behind the growing demand for skill-free products.
With this social issue in the background, the Energy Infrastructure segment is involved in the manufacture, sale and installation of low to medium voltage, high voltage and extra-high voltage power cable and connectors. Including the cable and connectors used in the construction of buildings, our products respond to the needs of customers in a wide range of industries, including solar power and data centers.
Business domains and strengths
Original metal and polymer technology enable the provision of high-quality products
The Energy Infrastructure segment is made up of the power cable business and industrial cable & power cable accessories business.
Since the company’s founding, Furukawa Electric has accumulated countless technological innovations. In particular, we possess major strengths in “metals” technology for copper and aluminum used in power cable and “polymers” technology for cable jackets. Through the co-creation and combination of these technologies within the group, we are providing higher quality cable and connection components to customers.
Advanced technological and proposal capabilities backed by a long history and extensive experience in Japan and around the world
Furukawa Electric began manufacturing submarine power cable, which is one of the core products of the power cable business, in 1915, and for over 100 years since, we have remained at the forefront of submarine power cable technology in Japan. Through our advanced technology development capability and our installation capability and quality, we have earned definite trust from our customers and have accumulated extensive experience in Japan and around the world.
Also, we possess strong technological capability and reliability in the area of terrestrial cable centered on extra-high voltage power cable, and we are contributing to maintaining and building the electrical power grid.
Solving social issues through high value added products
Our industrial cable & power cable accessories are used in a wide range of applications for connecting electric power. Several examples include our lightweight, easy to install and flexible “Rakuraku aluminum cable”; “high current plug-in connectors” that utilize original alloy technology to realize excellent durability and definite electrical connections; and “polymer insulators” that are 85% lighter than ceramic insulators and have excellent earthquake resistance due to reduced cracking. These products are contributing to making social infrastructure tougher. We realize increased operational efficiency for the customer and contribute to solving social issues such as the labor shortage caused by the aging society.
Medium-term business strategy (2025)
Focusing on furthering technology development and increasing installation capacity for renewable energy
In the power cable business, efforts are being made to grow the business targeting Japan extra-high voltage underground power cable, Japan renewable energy (submarine power cable + underground power cable) and overseas submarine power cable (Asia). In particular, in the area of renewable energy in Japan, we plan to triple sales by FY2025 following the increased installation of renewable energy.
At the Chiba Works, which is responsible for manufacturing power cable, manufacturing capacity is being increased through CAPEX, including for submarine power cable, and hiring additional personnel. The cable installation division is working to increase installation capacity through hiring and expanded cooperation with affiliate companies, as well as the introduction of easy to install joint components.
In regards to technology development, we are focusing on the development of submarine power transmission systems for next-generation floating offshore wind power (high voltage dynamic cable, etc.) and the development of direct current power cable for wide-area interconnections that will realize high capacity, long distance transmission of electric power.
Products for solving social issues are also being used to realize next-generation infrastructure
Furukawa Electric’s polymers technology and manufacturing know-how for cable and accessories are being utilized for social infrastructure including electric power and railroads, as well as for renewable energy, disaster prevention and mitigation and next-generation infrastructure that will realize comfortable, convenient towns and cities. We will continue our efforts to both grow the business and solve the social issues.
Increase sales of Rakuraku aluminum cable 500% by FY2025 (compared to FY2021). Expand the use to solar power stations, and contribute to realizing carbon neutrality. Also, for data centers, increase the use of “high current plug-in connectors” that are easily connected and disconnected, and reduce the connection workload. In addition, we plan to expand the use of the “polymer insulators”, which are lightweight, tarnish resistant and possess excellent durability, from the current main railroad applications to a wide range of other industries.
We will use our advanced technological capability and reliability accumulated over the years to solve the social issues and build next-generation infrastructure.
Products
Furukawa Electric Group, Vision 2030
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