Overhead DC Electric Cable Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Voltage Rating (High voltage, Medium voltage, Low voltage), By Component (Conductor, Insulators, Fittings & Accessories), By End User (Utilities & Power Grids, IT & Telecom, Automotive & Transportation, Electronics), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 40.39 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.02%
Fastest Growing Segment	Medium Voltage
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 57.36 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market will grow from USD 40.39 Billion in 2025 to USD 57.36 Billion by 2031 at a 6.02% CAGR. The Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market consists of the segment of the power transmission industry focused on high-voltage conductors installed on transmission towers for direct current (DC) electricity transport. These cables, typically composed of specialized aluminum conductors with steel reinforcement, are essential for Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems that move bulk electricity over vast distances with lower resistive losses compared to alternating current (AC) lines. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the global imperative to integrate remote renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind farms, into central grids and the necessity to interconnect asynchronous regional power networks to enhance stability.

Despite the critical role of this technology in the energy transition, the market faces significant impediments related to supply chain constraints and complex regulatory approval processes for new corridors. Securing Rights-of-Way (RoW) for long-distance overhead lines remains a formidable challenge, often delaying projects by years due to public opposition and environmental permitting requirements. Highlighting the scale of infrastructure needs driving this sector, according to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), in its 2024 System Needs Study, there are 108 GW of economically efficient opportunities for cross-border transmission capacity increases in Europe alone after 2030, underscoring the massive demand for new cable installations.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Efficient Long-Distance Bulk Power Transmission is a primary catalyst for the Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market, necessitated by the geographical disparity between energy generation and consumption centers. Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) systems are increasingly deployed to bridge these gaps, as they significantly reduce resistive losses over thousands of kilometers compared to alternating current infrastructure. This trend is exemplified by massive infrastructure undertakings in large nations. According to China Daily, July 2024, in the 'China begins work on world's first ultra-high voltage flexible direct current project' article, the State Grid Corporation of China commenced the Gansu-Zhejiang project, which spans a total length of 2,370 kilometers and boasts a rated capacity of 8 million kilowatts. Such extensive corridors require immense volumes of specialized overhead conductors, directly fueling market expansion.

Rapid Expansion of Remote Renewable Energy Integration further accelerates demand, as utilities must connect isolated wind and solar farms to central power grids. Overhead DC cables provide the high-capacity, stable transmission capability required to evacuate gigawatt-scale renewable power without compromising grid reliability. According to Hitachi Energy, May 2024, in the 'Hitachi Energy supports long-term operation of largest HVDC-connected wind energy project in U.S.' press release, the company acts as a key technology partner for the SunZia Transmission Project, which will transport up to 3,515 megawatts of wind energy over 885 kilometers to western states. The sheer volume of cable required for these energy transition projects is creating significant industry momentum. Highlighting this surge in activity, according to NKT, in 2024, the company's high-voltage order backlog reached EUR 11.0 billion by the end of the third quarter, reflecting the substantial global investment in new transmission capabilities.

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Key Market Challenges

The complex regulatory approval processes and the difficulty of securing Rights-of-Way (RoW) for new transmission corridors constitute a formidable challenge hindering the growth of the Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market. High-voltage DC projects typically span vast geographical distances, necessitating navigation through a dense labyrinth of jurisdictional permits, environmental clearances, and land acquisition negotiations. These administrative hurdles often result in prolonged project timelines, meaning that while the theoretical need for increased transmission capacity is high, the actual procurement and installation of cables are frequently postponed for years as developers struggle to finalize routes.

This operational bottleneck creates a severe disparity between renewable energy generation plans and the physical infrastructure required to transport it. The inability to timely approve new corridors directly restricts the addressable market for cable manufacturers, as cable orders are contingent upon finalized project permits. Underscoring the scale of this constraint, according to the International Energy Agency, in 2024, approximately 1,650 gigawatts of solar and wind projects were in advanced stages of development globally but remained stalled awaiting grid connections. This backlog highlights how non-technical barriers in permitting effectively dampen the immediate demand for new overhead DC cable installations.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Advanced High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) Conductors is driving market growth as utilities seek to maximize capacity on existing Rights-of-Way. Unlike traditional steel-reinforced cables, these next-generation conductors utilize composite cores to withstand significantly higher operating temperatures with minimal thermal sag, allowing operators to increase power flow through established corridors without constructing new towers. This technology is increasingly prioritized by regulators to resolve immediate grid congestion issues. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, April 2024, in the 'Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment' report, the widespread deployment of advanced grid solutions, particularly reconductoring lines with these advanced cables, could cost-effectively increase domestic grid capacity to support upwards of 20 to 100 gigawatts of peak demand growth.

The Strategic Conversion of Existing AC Lines to DC Operation enables transmission operators to repurpose established infrastructure for high-voltage DC circuits, effectively bypassing the arduous land acquisition process. By modifying insulator strings and tower configurations on legacy routes, utilities can achieve higher power density and precise controllability, a strategy that is becoming vital in densely populated regions like Europe. This trend is exemplified by hybrid corridors that carry both current types. Underscoring the momentum of such complex conversions, according to the Bundesnetzagentur, November 2024, in the 'Progress in network expansion' press release, the German regulator finalized planning approval for a key section of the 340-kilometer Ultranet corridor, facilitating the first-ever parallel transmission of AC and DC currents on shared towers.

Segmental Insights

The Medium Voltage segment is positioning itself as the fastest-growing category within the Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market. This rapid expansion is primarily fueled by the accelerating integration of renewable energy sources, where medium voltage direct current systems offer superior efficiency for connecting distributed generation sites to national grids. Furthermore, the extensive electrification of railway transportation networks relies heavily on this specific cabling infrastructure. The International Electrotechnical Commission has also facilitated this growth by establishing essential safety and performance standards, thereby encouraging utilities to upgrade aging distribution lines with these advanced direct current solutions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market due to extensive infrastructure development in emerging economies such as China and India. The region prioritizes efficient long-distance power transmission to support rapid industrialization and rising urbanization rates. This demand is driven by government initiatives aiming to integrate renewable energy sources into national grids, necessitating robust cabling solutions. Major utility projects managed by entities like the State Grid Corporation of China require substantial deployment of direct current infrastructure, further cementing the region's dominant market position through consistent grid modernization efforts.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Sterlite Electric Ltd secured new orders worth INR 2,400 crore during the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024–25, bringing its total order book for the year to INR 7,500 crore. The company won contracts to supply high-performance conductors and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for various projects, including those aimed at integrating renewable energy into power grids. These orders underscored the growing demand for robust transmission infrastructure, a critical component in the global overhead DC electric cable market for facilitating long-distance green energy transport.
• In March 2025, TS Conductor announced plans to open its second United States manufacturing facility near the Port of Savannah in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The company committed to investing USD 134 million in the new plant, which is intended to produce high-efficiency conductors for electricity grids. A primary objective of this project was to ensure a sufficient domestic supply of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines to support nationwide grid expansion. The facility was scheduled to commence production by the end of 2025 to meet the growing demand for advanced conductor technology capable of increasing transmission capacity.
• In November 2024, Southwire Company reported that it had received a federal funding grant in collaboration with a major utility provider to enhance the electrical grid in Georgia. The initiative involved the installation of the company's C7 Overhead Conductor, which utilizes advanced aluminum-conductor composite-supported (ACCS) technology. This project aimed to expand transmission capacity using existing infrastructure, addressing the industry's need for efficient power delivery solutions that are essential for modernizing networks, including those utilizing high-voltage DC applications for grid resilience.
• In June 2024, CTC Global inaugurated its fifth ACCC Conductor Core manufacturing facility in Pune, India. The new plant was established to support the region's drive to expand the capacity and improve the efficiency of its power grid. The facility was designed to produce advanced conductor cores that enable utilities to increase the capacity of existing electric systems via reconductoring, supporting load growth and renewable generation linkage. These advanced conductors are increasingly relevant to the overhead DC electric cable market as they offer reduced line losses and higher efficiency for transmission systems.

Key Market Players

• ABB Ltd
• Prysmian Group
• NKT A/S
• Nexans S.A.
• Siemens AG
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• LS Cable & System Ltd.
• Southwire Company
• Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

By Voltage Rating	By Component	By End User	By Region
High voltage Medium voltage Low voltage	Conductor Insulators Fittings & Accessories	Utilities & Power Grids IT & Telecom Automotive & Transportation Electronics	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Overhead DC Electric Cable Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Overhead DC Electric Cable Market, By Voltage Rating:

• High voltage
• Medium voltage
• Low voltage

• Overhead DC Electric Cable Market, By Component:

• Conductor
• Insulators
• Fittings & Accessories

• Overhead DC Electric Cable Market, By End User:

• Utilities & Power Grids
• IT & Telecom
• Automotive & Transportation
• Electronics

• Overhead DC Electric Cable Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE