How can control cable manufacturers seize the opportunities brought by the development of the new energy industry?

Control cable manufacturers need to deeply integrate into the new energy industry chain, taking technological innovation as the engine and market demand as the guide, and build a three-dimensional strategic system covering product research and development, supply chain collaboration and global layout. The following, based on industry trends and practical cases, proposes eight core strategies:

1. Focus on the specific scenarios of new energy and develop special cable solutions

Photovoltaic field

Develop photovoltaics dedicated cables that are resistant to ultraviolet rays (UV) and high and low temperatures (-40℃ to 120℃), such as the H1Z2Z2-K photovoltaic cable from Guda Cable Group, which has a service life of over 40 years and is suitable for extreme environments like deserts and salt flats.

For large-scale photovoltaic and energy storage integrated projects, customized cable systems are provided. For instance, the Three Gorges Cable Group developed UV-resistant, moisture-proof and cold-proof cables for the 2.61 million kilowatt photovoltaic project in Dali, Yunnan Province, with a winning bid amount of 100 million yuan.

Wind power field

We have developed wind power cables that are resistant to low temperatures (-60℃) and vibration, such as the TPU sheathed cables of Shanghai Jiarou Cable, which can withstand the frequent torsion of wind turbine impellers (1440° per time), and their salt spray corrosion resistance meets the requirements of offshore working conditions.

We have launched highly flexible cables inside the tower tubes, supporting a dynamic bending life of over 100,000 times. For instance, the FDZ-GVV cable from Anhui Wanbang has been applied in the Arctic wind power project 9.

Energy storage and charging facilities:

Develop highly flame-retardant (UL94 V-0) and acid-resistant cables for energy storage systems, such as the silicone rubber insulated cables of Far East Cable, which are suitable for 1500V DC systems and have passed the CQC 1143 standard certification 11.

We have laid out ultra-fast charging cable technology, supporting an 800V high-voltage platform with a charging power of over 480kW, meeting the demand for electric vehicles to travel 200 kilometers in 5 minutes.

Second, leverage policy dividends to seize market growth

Domestic policy

Seize the opportunity of the construction of the new power system during the 14th Five-Year Plan period and participate in ultra-high voltage and smart grid projects. For instance, by 2025, China's newly installed capacity of new energy will exceed 300 million kilowatts, and the demand for control cables will grow simultaneously by 4%.

Apply for the "Specialized, Refined, Unique and Innovative" certification and obtain research and development subsidies. Shenhua Electric Group (Anhui) Co., Ltd. and Guda Cable Group have obtained CNAS laboratory certification through the industry-university-research cooperation of Guizhou University, accelerating the transformation of technology.

International market

Deeply rooted along the Belt and Road Initiative, Far East Cable has provided TUV-certified cables for a 400-megawatt photovoltaic power station in Uzbekistan, generating 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and contributing to the local energy transition.

Lay out the European market, utilize the 500 billion euro climate fund of Germany, develop photovoltaic cables that are compatible with European standards (such as VDE 0276), and seize 5% of the new installed capacity share of 75GW in 2025.

Iii. Build a green manufacturing system and break through environmental protection barriers

Low-carbon production

Introduce self-powered systems of photovoltaic and wind power to reduce carbon emissions. For instance, the Three Gorges Cable Group has invested 160 million yuan to build a smart energy research institute, achieving 5G full-link intelligent manufacturing.

Halogen-free flame-retardant materials, such as silicone rubber and irradiated cross-linked polyolefins, are adopted to replace traditional PVC, meeting the requirements of the EU RoHS Directive 11.

Circular economy

Establish a waste cable recycling system. For instance, Hengtong Optoelectronics has a copper recovery rate of over 95%, reducing its reliance on raw materials.

Develop detachable modular cables for easy maintenance and recycling. For instance, the photovoltaic cables of Guda Cable Group support quick replacement.

Fourth, deepen digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency

Intelligent manufacturing

Deploy the ERP+MES system to shorten the order delivery cycle by 15%. For instance, through the OnePower platform, Huiyang Cable has increased the first-time qualification rate of its products by 10%.

The introduction of AI visual inspection enables real-time monitoring of cable appearance defects, reducing the missed detection rate to less than 0.1%.

Product intelligence

Develop intelligent cables with built-in sensors to monitor temperature and insulation status in real time. For instance, the low-temperature resistant cables of Aipuda Cable have been applied in the aerospace field

Build a digital twin system for cables to simulate performance under extreme working conditions and shorten the R&D cycle by 30%.

V. Strengthen supply chain resilience to cope with cost fluctuations

Global production capacity layout

Set up production bases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East to circumvent tariff barriers. If Prysmian builds a factory in Vietnam, it will reduce its reliance on the Chinese supply chain.

Establish a "dual supply chain" system, focusing on high-end products domestically and covering the mid-to-low-end market overseas.

Raw material management

By adopting the strategy of "futures hedging + long-term contract procurement", for instance, a certain enterprise in Shaanxi Province reduced the impact of raw material cost fluctuations from ±8% to ±3% through a price prediction model.

Explore the replacement of pure copper with aluminum alloy conductors to reduce costs by 20% while ensuring performance.

Six. Innovate business models and expand service value

"Product + Service" model:

Provide full life cycle management of cables, including installation guidance and predictive maintenance. For instance, Ain Cable customizes multi-core control cables for open-pit mining projects and is equipped with a remote monitoring system.

We have launched cable rental services to reduce customers' initial investment, which is suitable for distributed photovoltaic projects.

Integrated energy services

Cooperate with photovoltaic and wind power enterprises to provide integrated solutions of "cable + energy storage". For instance, the participation of Three Gorges Cable Group in the user-side energy storage project in Chongqing has enhanced the overall efficiency of the system by 

Vii. Talent and Organizational Transformation to Activate Innovative Momentum

Technical breakthrough team

Introduce high-end talents with experience in 5G cable and superconducting material research and development, such as the laboratory jointly established by Huiyang Cable and Fuzhou University, to develop an intelligent monitoring system 1.

Cooperate with vocational colleges to set up a "Cable Manufacturing" targeted class to cultivate compound technical workers.

Agile organizational structure

Establish a "New Energy Division", operate independently, and respond quickly to market demands. If Guda Cable Group establishes a special team for photovoltaic cables, it will complete the research and development of H1Z2Z2-K products within three months.

Implement project-based management and break down departmental barriers, such as establishing a "Low-temperature Resistant Cable Breakthrough Team" to concentrate resources on tackling key problems.

Viii. Capital operation and ecological cooperation accelerate scale expansion

Financing and Mergers and Acquisitions

Invest in high-potential technologies through ipos or the introduction of industrial funds. For instance, Zhongtian Technology's acquisition of Jiangdong Cable enhances the competitiveness of its submarine cable business.

Participate in new energy industry funds, such as CATL's factory construction in Europe, to obtain technological synergy and market resources.

Ecological Alliance

Join the photovoltaic and wind power industry association and participate in the formulation of standards. For instance, the Shanghai Wire and Cable Research Association has promoted the revision of the standard for UV-resistant cables.

Cooperate with enterprises such as Huawei and Sungrow Power Supply to develop dedicated cables suitable for inverters and energy storage systems.

Conclusion

The explosive growth of the new energy industry has provided a historic opportunity for control cable manufacturers, but they need to build their core competitiveness with a three-dimensional model of "technical depth × market breadth × policy sensitivity". Enterprises should focus on specific scenarios and break through technical barriers through special cables. Leverage policies and capital to rapidly expand market share; At the same time, by laying a solid foundation through green manufacturing and digital transformation, we will occupy a strategic high ground in the global energy revolution.