Photograph 1) Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia, Koo Bon-gyu, CEO of LS Cable & System, and Rick West, Mayor of Chesapeake (from fifth right), take photos at the LS GreenLink groundbreaking ceremony held in Chesapeake, Virginia, on the 28th (local time).



Photograph 2) Bird’s eye view of the LS GreenLink submarine cable plant


■ Company responds proactively to restructuring of US supply chain with investment of approximately KRW 1 trillion
■ Cutting-edge production base to be built, including world's tallest VCV tower and dedicated port 
■ Company secures greatest government support among global cable companies, creating over 330 jobs


LS Cable & System has become the first Korean company to begin construction of a large-scale factory in the United States since the beginning of Trump’s second term, and is targeting the global market despite the strengthened protectionism.

LS Cable & System announced on the 29th that its subsidiary LS GreenLink has begun construction of the largest submarine cable manufacturing plant in the U.S. in Chesapeake, Virginia.

This project, with a total investment of USD 681 million (about KRW 1 trillion), is attracting attention as the first large-scale investment by a Korean company in the U.S. since the beginning of Trump’s second term. 

This investment is part of LS Cable & System's plan to proactively respond to the U.S. supply chain self-reliance strategy and to establish a foundation for leading the global energy infrastructure transition. In particular, given the extremely limited submarine cable production infrastructure in the United States, this investment has strategic significance in terms of expanding local procurement and improving supply chain stability. 

The factory will be built on a 396,700㎡ site in the Elizabeth River basin with a total floor area of approximately 70,000㎡. The plant is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2027 and begin mass production in the first quarter of 2028, and the company also plans to expand its facilities in line with future global demand.

The planned production facilities include a 201-meter-tall VCV tower and dedicated port facilities. These will provide the plant with world-class, one-stop infrastructure capable of everything from the production of HVDC (high voltage direct current) submarine cables to their transportation and supply.

Notably, the VCV Tower will be the tallest structure in Virginia and the tallest industrial facility on the East Coast between Philadelphia and Charlotte. Construction of the plant is expected to create more than 330 quality jobs in the local community.

“The construction of the LS GreenLink plant will be a turning point for LS Cable & System on its path to becoming a global energy infrastructure company,” said Koo Bon-kyu, CEO of LS Cable & System. “With our world-class manufacturing infrastructure, we will respond quickly and efficiently to the rapidly growing global demand for submarine cables.”

“We have already secured export orders for Europe for the next 18 months,” said Kim Ki-soo, CEO of LS GreenLink, adding, “The US AI data center power demand in 2024 will reach 32 GW, half of South Korea’s total annual power demand (62 GW), and will more than triple to 120 GW by 2030, driving up cable demand accordingly.”

“Groundbreaking on GreenLink is a symbolic demonstration of Virginia’s innovation and manufacturing prowess,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This plant will create hundreds of jobs and provide a model for sustainable economic growth.”

Chesapeake Mayor Rick West said, “This investment is the largest single private investment in Chesapeake City history, and will serve as an opportunity for the city to become a key hub in the global energy supply chain.”

Based on this project, LS Cable & System plans to establish a central pillar for a global submarine business supply chain that encompasses the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. In addition, the company expects to create synergy through collaboration with LS Marine Solutions and LS EcoEnergy. 
 

[Summary]

•  Location : Elizabeth River Basin, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA
•  Site area : Approximately 396,700㎡
•  Investment amount :  Approximately KRW 1 trillion (USD 681 million)
•  Factory size : Total floor area of 70,000㎡
•  Production facilities : World's tallest VCV tower (201 m), HVDC submarine cable production facility, and dedicated dock
•  Time of completion and start of mass production : Completion in Q3 2027, mass production to begin in Q1 2028 
•  Job creation : Jobs for more than 330 people