Medium-Voltage Cable Supply for Network Modernization

Nexans and Enedis agree on seven-year framework for delivery of medium-voltage network cables, supporting infrastructure upgrades including EV charging and renewable connections across France, with production aligned to industrial capacity goals.

Paris ,France’s distribution system operator Enedis and cable manufacturer Nexans have entered a seven-year framework agreement for the supply of medium-voltage (HTA) power cables. The cooperation addresses industrial automation and digital infrastructure needs for the modernization, reinforcement, and expansion of the French medium-voltage network, including support for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and renewable energy integration.

Context of the Cooperation
Enedis, responsible for operating and maintaining France’s electricity distribution network, requires extended medium-voltage cable capacity to meet grid reinforcement and electrification objectives. Medium-voltage systems, typically rated between 1 kV and 50 kV, are core to distribution grids serving urban and rural load centers.

The contract arises from technical and operational challenges linked to aging infrastructure, increased load demand from electrification, and integration of distributed energy resources. Cooperation with Nexans was pursued to combine Enedis’ network requirements with Nexans’ industrial cable manufacturing capacity, technical expertise in HTA systems, and supply chain resilience.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
Under the €600 million agreement, Nexans will supply a range of medium-voltage power cables used in 20 kV underground networks. The portfolio includes standard sections alongside larger 400 mm² aluminum conductors and reinforced direct burial (EDR) cables, reflecting evolving network designs that prioritize mechanical robustness and thermal performance for long-term load growth.

Manufacturing responsibilities are divided between Nexans’ Bourg-en-Bresse plant in France and a secondary production site in Battipaglia, Italy. Significant industrial investments — including a €15 million upgrade at Bourg-en-Bresse — have been allocated to expand capacity for larger cross-section conductors and thicker sheaths. This alignment with European industrial standards aims to secure supply continuity and strengthen regional production sovereignty.

The cable products are designed to meet established HTA standards for electrical performance, mechanical strength, and environmental resilience. Nexans’ supply includes documentation of greenhouse gas emissions via PEP ecopassport^® declarations and integrates recycled materials such as aluminum and polyethylene where feasible, aligning with industry circularity practices.

Deployment and Integration
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of the contract period, with average annual volumes approximately double those of the preceding framework. The cables will be deployed across Enedis’ national network for underground installation and burial, supporting retrofits and new connections that intersect existing electrical infrastructure and extension zones for EV charging and renewable generation.

Integration with existing grid infrastructure will be executed during routine maintenance and planned upgrade cycles, coordinated by Enedis to minimize service disruption. Nexans’ role includes logistical coordination and adherence to specified delivery timelines to support phased implementation.

Applications and Expected Impact
Target applications for supplied medium-voltage cables include urban distribution reinforcement, rural network burial to enhance reliability, connectivity for EV fast-charging stations, and interfacing with renewable energy parks. By securing increased production capacity and diversifying product mix, the cooperation is expected to contribute to improved network performance metrics such as reduced outage rates and enhanced load handling capability.

Quantitatively, the agreement’s doubled annual volume relative to prior contracts implies an ongoing scaling of cable deployment that aligns with France’s broader infrastructure modernization efforts. Moreover, industrial investments enhance production throughput and support compliance with environmental and material standards.

Strategic Context
This framework continues a long-term relationship between Nexans and Enedis dating back to previous agreements for low-voltage underground cable supply, reinforcing ongoing cooperation to tackle evolving network demands through coordinated technical and supply chain strategies.

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