As wind energy investments accelerate across Europe and beyond, reliable and application-specific cable solutions play a critical role in turbine performance and lifecycle efficiency.

In this exclusive conversation with Rüzgar Enerjisi, Erkan Çiçekli discusses UNTEL Kablo’s technical capabilities, global project references, and strategic expansion plans in international markets.

Could you please introduce yourself and provide a general overview of UNTEL Kablo?

My career in the cable industry has been shaped by over 15 years of experience and the expertise I have developed throughout this period. Around seven years ago, I joined Üntel Kablo as a Regional Manager, overseeing operations across the Middle East and Far East regions.

In the third year of my role, I was promoted to Deputy Manager in recognition of my performance. During this time, I took an active role in all stages of the sales and marketing processes. Through business visits to more than 70 countries, I had the opportunity to establish strong international partnerships.

These experiences across diverse markets provided me with a solid perspective on developing sustainable and effective strategies in global trade. They also strengthened my expertise in customer relationship management, market analysis, and long-term business development.

Approximately ten months ago, I was promoted to Export Manager. In this role, I continue to focus on expanding our global presence and developing strategies that support sustainable growth in international markets.

UNTEL Kablo, one of the world’s leading cable manufacturers, was established in Turkey in 1972. With over 50 years of production experience, advanced facilities, and a highly specialized team, UNTEL Kablo is committed to consistently delivering high-quality products.

Our production activities initially began in Istanbul, where we completed our first exports and finalized our certification processes in cable manufacturing. The acquisition of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System certificate strengthened our quality infrastructure, and we launched our first medium-voltage cable production.

To support our growing capacity and expansion goals, a major investment in 2009 led to the relocation of our operations to our current facility in the Kocaeli Dilovası Machinery Specialized Organized Industrial Zone. This move significantly enhanced both our production capacity and technological infrastructure.

Specializing in rubber and custom cable production, our company is an approved supplier for many respected public and private sector organizations. Today, our products are trusted in over 100 countries across six continents.

Our facility in Dilovası is situated on a 43,000 m² plot, with 32,000 m² of covered production area. Equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing systems, we maintain high standards in rubber and compound production technologies.

In the low- and medium-voltage segments, we offer over 24,000 product varieties, delivering comprehensive and reliable solutions across diverse industries.

UNTEL Kablo employs over 300 people, has an annual production capacity of approximately 30,000 tons, and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 10002, and ISO 50001 certifications, positioning us among the leading companies in the industry.

Could you please provide information about your product range and the industries you serve?

Today, we export to over 100 countries. Approximately five years ago, our export network covered 80 countries, and in line with our strategic growth vision, we continue to expand into new markets each year.

In the coming period, we aim to strengthen our presence in additional countries through specialized product groups and high value-added projects, contributing both to our company’s sustainable growth and to the national economy.

We provide integrated solutions to many industries, particularly key sectors in Turkey. We manufacture across 15 main product groups, delivering reliable and effective solutions supported by our extensive portfolio and quality-focused approach.

Our 15 main product groups include:

• Marine cables for the shipbuilding industry
  
• Offshore and drilling cables for the oil and energy sector
  
• High-strength cables for cranes and mobile systems
  
• Special certified cables for the defense industry
  
• Industrial plant and automation cables
  
• Airport runway lighting cables
  
• Railway signaling and in-carriage cables
  
• Mining and tunnel cables

Could you summarize, under a single heading, the technical features that ÜNTEL Kablo offers for wind energy?

Wind turbines operate under challenging environmental conditions throughout the year. To ensure long-term reliability, all system components must be designed to meet high-performance standards. Cables, which play a critical role in turbine systems, must withstand both environmental factors and operational stresses inside the turbine.

Based on customer feedback and our long-standing industry experience, we have developed cables that combine high flexibility with reliable performance across a wide temperature range.

Our products are designed to meet the demanding requirements of the wind energy sector, offering resistance to mechanical stresses such as torsion and vibration, as well as protection against oils and chemicals. They are flame-retardant, highly wear-resistant, and suitable for harsh operating conditions.

How does cable selection impact efficiency, total cost of ownership, and reliability?

Cable selection directly impacts the lifecycle performance of wind turbines. From an investor’s perspective, selecting cables with the correct cross-section and low electrical losses enhances transmission efficiency and minimizes voltage drops, ensuring sustainable system performance.

Additionally, the use of power cables with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) properties prevents interference with signal and communication cables, maintaining stable data transmission.

Making the right cable choice at the investment stage significantly reduces the risk of faults and unplanned downtime during operation. Durable cables resistant to environmental stress decrease replacement frequency and help optimize operating costs.

For turbine manufacturers, selecting application-appropriate cables reduces warranty-related interventions, improves service efficiency, and positively influences overall service costs.

Can you share examples of wind energy projects completed or ongoing in 2025?

Last year, as part of the “Domestic Turbine Project” launched by one of the leading organizations in our country, UNTEL Kablo was selected for all internal turbine wiring. This was a significant source of pride and reflects our commitment to quality and engineering excellence.

We are actively involved in numerous domestic and international projects. The Biga Wind Farm Project and the Tower Loop Cables developed for one of the industry’s leading manufacturers are among our key references. Additionally, we continue to maintain a strong position in the production of rubber cables for welding machines.

We have successfully produced specialized cables for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and wind energy applications. All our products are internationally certified and fully comply with relevant quality and safety standards.

We produce over 24,000 different cable types under one roof and hold type approval certificates for more than 300 products. We consider certification not only a quality indicator but also a strategic investment supporting market expansion.

In line with our international growth strategy, we participated in the trade exhibition held in Husum, Germany, one of the key meeting points for the wind energy industry. This event provided valuable opportunities to strengthen our business network, particularly in Europe and the Nordic countries.

Today, we continue to operate actively in European and Scandinavian markets, implementing region-specific projects in line with our global growth strategy.

Could you provide information about your cable solutions for wind turbines?

Our wind turbine cables are part of our Green Energy product family, which also includes shore feeding cables and electric vehicle charging cables. As the transition toward renewable energy accelerates in line with net-zero emission goals, UNTEL Kablo transfers its extensive experience from traditional energy projects to this field.

Our main solutions for onshore wind turbines include:

• Power cables and high-twist-resistant loop cables for wind towers
  
• Power, control, and signal cables for nacelle applications
  
• Grounding conductors and panel wiring solutions
  
• Switchgear cables
  
• Grid connection and string cables
  
• Medium-voltage power cables

Our products are highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions, certified according to international standards, and subjected to comprehensive testing processes, ensuring reliable global use.

How does your manufacturing history provide an advantage in wind solutions?

Special cable manufacturing requires long-term expertise, qualified human resources, and advanced production infrastructure. Producing cables suitable for harsh wind turbine conditions is made possible by our accumulated technical knowledge.

Through extensive testing in our accredited laboratories and TÜV Rheinland approvals, we ensure high performance and durability. Our customers benefit not only from our products but also from our technical expertise.

By offering project-specific engineering services, we develop tailored cable solutions for each application. The production of Generator Power Cables, Wind Loops, and Signal Cables demonstrates our technical competence and solution-oriented approach.

Can you share your goals for 2026?

As Üntel Kablo, we aim to increase the preference rate of our wind turbine cables in both domestic and international markets. We continue our discussions with turbine manufacturers and investors in this regard.

Although we have not received negative feedback regarding our wind turbine cables, we continuously work on improvements in line with our commitment to ongoing development.

We place strong emphasis on R&D, focusing on enhancing product efficiency and developing innovative solutions. Additionally, we are planning new partnerships and strategic investments to expand our market presence.

We invite interested stakeholders to review our Wind Turbine Cables catalog available on our website and contact us for further support.