The factory will be built on a 396,700-square-meter brownfield site, with the facility itself covering 70,000 square meters. It is expected to create over 330 full-time jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy. Construction is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2027, with mass production beginning in the first quarter of 2028. LS GreenLink plans to expand the facility in the future based on global demand.
Kim Ki-soo, CEO of LS GreenLink, highlighted the project’s market potential: “We have already secured 18 months’ worth of volume for export to Europe. The U.S.’s AI data center power demand in 2024 is expected to reach 32 GW, half of Korea’s annual power demand (62 GW), and by 2030, it is expected to more than triple to 120 GW, which will rapidly increase demand for cables as well.”
The groundbreaking event, attended by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura, Senator Tim Kaine, Chesapeake Mayor Richard West, and other industry leaders, coincided with the opening day of Oceantic Network’s 2025 International Partnering Forum. Rick West, Mayor of Chesapeake, noted: “This investment is the largest single private investment in Chesapeake’s history, and it will serve as an opportunity for Chesapeake to leap forward as a key hub in the global energy supply chain.”
Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network, emphasized the broader impact: “Today’s groundbreaking for LS GreenLink’s Chesapeake cable facility marks a pivotal moment for Virginia and America’s national offshore wind supply chain. This $700 million investment is a testament to the global industry’s commitment to the U.S. market, creating hundreds of long-term American jobs and manufacturing American-made energy components for the pipeline of domestic and international offshore wind projects.”
The facility strengthens Virginia’s position as a hub for offshore wind energy, supported by initiatives from Dominion Energy and state officials. By producing HVDC subsea cables, LS GreenLink aims to meet rising energy demands, particularly for AI data centers and offshore wind projects, while fostering economic growth and sustainable energy solutions in the region.
