Prysmian has completed testing and is ready to launch HVDC submarine cable systems, qualifying the use of 525kV submarine energy cables at an increased operating temperature of up to 90°C. This raises the transmission capacity of a single 525 kV link from 2 GW to 2.5 GW, marking a global standard for submarine energy cables.
Mar 02, 2026
Prysmian has completed testing and is ready to launch the new global standard for high voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable systems, qualifying the use of 525kV submarine energy cables at an increased operating temperature of up to 90°C.
This breakthrough enables the cable system to withstand higher operating temperatures in cable plastic insulation, increasing the maximum transmission capacity of a single 525 kV link from today’s standard of 2 GW to 2.5 GW, and this power can be deployed in the existing HVDC network infrastructure, with no impacts on the rest of the system. This is a significant boost in the operational efficiency, as higher power transfers can be made without increasing voltage or converter and platform sizes, enabling more efficient power transmission in multi-terminal grids and hybrid interconnectors , combining long-distance energy transmission and offshore wind generation in a single and better utilized asset.
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The 525kV submarine cables are at the heart of major projects, including cross-country interconnectors and export connections for offshore windfarms. The new 525kV 90°C technology has the capability to transfer energy to power up to 2.5 million homes, an increase of over 500,000 homes in respect to the previous generation of 525kV system technology.
Mr. Raul Gil, EVP Transmission at Prysmian said, “Thanks to this innovation, we can make the essential energy projects that modern electricity connections need, more affordable.’’
Mr. Srinivas Siripurapu, Chief R&D, Sustainability and Innovation Officer at Prysmian added,“The result of this breakthrough is one that everyone will appreciate, a more affordable energy transition, as the increased efficiency can become real cost savings for consumers. Thanks to this breakthrough we can transfer more energy in a more effective way, and plug-in this into existing high voltage DC networks. This technology is not only European-first but also sets the global standard of what is possible for submarine energy cables.”
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This new technology makes the energy transition and energy security more efficient and economically affordable, and are fully in line with new hybrid projects, such as those announced for the North Sea.
