When applying insulation, it is necessary to keep the high voltage cable in an upright position for a certain time to avoid ovalization and other negative effects. If we know the recommended time, then we understand that the required height of the extrusion tower will be proportional to the desired cable production speed. Hence the demand to build tall extrusion towers – they are needed to produce high-quality cable, and quickly.

Some leading cable manufacturers already have factories with 2-3 towers at the same production area. It’s a lot, but there are places where there were more towers. So, let’s talk about our beloved Italy, or rather, about the city of Bologna.

In XII-XIII centuries, about 80-100 towers were built in Bologna for several reasons: initially as defensive structures to protect against conflicts, and then as symbols of wealth, power and the social status of noble families. Wealthy families competed with each other to build the tallest towers, turning the city into a medieval city of skyscrapers (up to 100 meters).

A lot of time has passed since then, but some towers are still preserved in Bologna, and they are still impressive with their height. I am sure that, if required, they could produce excellent cables, and Bologna would become the world centre of the cable industry.

Looking at this, at least we can say that Bologna, probably, is the most appropriate place for cable conference. However, somehow, the next conference – fourth Symposium on HVDC Cable Systems (Jicable) – will be not in Bologna but in TURIN, Italy, from October 20 to 22, 2025, https://hvdc25.jicable.org