I believe underwater lines are typically not that expensive (compared to other major energy generation/transmission projects). It's actually much easier to lay a cable in water (just drop it in) that it is over land (where you either have to construct pylons or dig a trench).
Well... the HVDC cables and in particular the converter stations at each end are quite a bit more expensive than equivalent HV AC infrastructure. But yes, it's definitely affordable and there are many submarine transmission interconnects throughout the world these days.
Are you guessing based on installations in other countries, or do you know that?
I would presume that volcanic rock is difficult to put a trench down through. But I am interested to know.
Edit: I found a good article with pictures of the equipment used about water jets to trench in soft seabeds: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/6/460/htm It mentions cable ploughs and mechanical trenching machines. I would presume trenching in rock is sometimes required near-shore.
I believe underwater lines are typically not that expensive (compared to other major energy generation/transmission projects). It's actually much easier to lay a cable in water (just drop it in) that it is over land (where you either have to construct pylons or dig a trench).
Well... the HVDC cables and in particular the converter stations at each end are quite a bit more expensive than equivalent HV AC infrastructure. But yes, it's definitely affordable and there are many submarine transmission interconnects throughout the world these days.
One was just built between Norway and the UK.
If nothing else, environmental review is a thing for anything that goes into the water in Hawaii, and that is very expensive.
They are actually in a trench unless it's super deep. You don't want a ship anchor to catch a submarine cable...
Are you guessing based on installations in other countries, or do you know that?
I would presume that volcanic rock is difficult to put a trench down through. But I am interested to know.
Edit: I found a good article with pictures of the equipment used about water jets to trench in soft seabeds: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/6/460/htm It mentions cable ploughs and mechanical trenching machines. I would presume trenching in rock is sometimes required near-shore.
so is having more generation capacity to overcome the lack of power interlink