To solve the simulation problem of branch cables in virtual assembly process, a cable simulation method based on the minimal energy principle is proposed. Firstly, to describe the postures and deformationss of the branch cables, a discrete Cosserat rod model is established. Next, according to the description of the minimal energy principle, each system is in the most stable state when its energy takes the minimum, so the postures of the cables could be solved by calculating the extremum of energy optimization model. After that, on the circumstance of ignoring low-speed movement of the cables, the energy could be obtained by the summation of the tensile, bending and torsional deformations potential energy. Then, the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is applied to solve the energy optimization model, and the postures of cables is calculated through Hermite interpolation. Finally, the verification example was established to simulate the deformations of the branch cables, which verifying the high calculating speed of algorithm and the authenticity of simulation.