A Subsea Reset: What’s Next for US Cable Plans?

US subsea cable plans are realigning as Prysmian exits an offshore wind factory plan and LS GreenLink advances a 700 million dollar facility

29 Apr 2025

The US subsea cable sector is reshaping itself in real time as developers rethink where and when to place big bets. Instead of a wave of new factories, the landscape now reflects selective moves tied to changing expectations for offshore wind and future grid links.

The sharpest turn came from Prysmian. The cable giant scrapped its long discussed offshore wind factory at Brayton Point in Massachusetts, citing a need to recalibrate its manufacturing footprint. Slower demand for subsea lines tied to US offshore wind weakened the business case and brought an end to what had been one of the most closely watched proposals in the sector.

A very different signal arrived from LS Cable and System. Its subsidiary LS GreenLink broke ground in April 2025 on a subsea cable plant in Virginia valued at up to 700 million dollars. The company is wagering that domestic production will matter as states refine renewable targets and transmission planners search for new paths to move power. It is not a rush of industry wide growth, but it is a clear marker of long term intent.

Market indicators remain mixed. Global appetite for subsea power cables is rising in some regions, fuelled by offshore wind and long distance transmission projects. Yet the pace varies from one market to another, leaving the outlook for US manufacturing murky. Much depends on steady permitting, coherent procurement rules, and how regional planners chart future grid needs. Supply chain pressures, from vessel availability to materials, continue to play out unevenly across US projects.

Still, analysts expect Washington and the states to keep probing ways to strengthen grid connections and prepare for future offshore wind capacity. Meaningful progress will rely on tighter coordination between federal and state agencies and clearer guidance on project timelines.

The latest moves paint a picture of a sector adjusting rather than accelerating. With one prominent plan shelved and another major investment rolling forward, US subsea cable development is settling into a more measured phase as companies position themselves for whatever demand curve emerges next.