Canada Eyes 50-MW Undersea Cable to Power Stressed European Grids
Canada is exploring the feasibility of a subsea electric power cable stretching across the North Atlantic to Northern Europe, with a potential transmission capacity of 20 to 50 megawatts. The proposal, discussed in recent government circles, aims to export Canadian renewable energy, including hydroelectric, wind, and tidal power, to alleviate summer grid stress in Western Europe, where demand for cooling often outstrips supply.
The concept of undersea power transmission is not new. Modern subsea cables already carry grid-scale electricity from offshore wind farms to onshore grids, while earlier iterations transmitted telegraph signals. A decade and a half ago, discussions centred on piping geothermal energy from Iceland to Scotland and England via undersea cables. Canada’s renewed interest builds on this precedent, proposing a route from Eastern Canada to southern Greenland, then to Iceland, before reaching the UK and Europe.
The economic rationale is compelling. Western Europe has faced repeated summer heatwaves where electricity demand for air conditioning and cooling systems has exceeded generating capacity. Wind and solar energy, while growing, have struggled to meet these peaks.
A transatlantic cable could provide a steady supply of Canadian hydroelectric and tidal power, particularly during Europe’s morning demand surge, when Canada’s overnight demand is minimal. Conversely, during Europe’s off-peak hours, Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States could tap into European excess capacity to meet their evening demand.
The Case for a Transatlantic Power Link
Canada’s coastal regions hold significant untapped potential for renewable energy generation. The Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides, experiences lunar-driven tidal flows of several hundred cubic miles of seawater every 24 hours.
Beyond tidal energy, hundreds of uninhabited islands along the eastern shores of Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay could host wind turbines, while Quebec and Labrador’s hydroelectric dams could contribute additional capacity. A study commissioned by Canada on coastal kinetic energy potential highlighted these opportunities, though technical and environmental challenges remain.
Canada’s Renewable Energy Potential
The proposed cable would also enhance the viability of nuclear power. Nuclear stations operate most efficiently at constant output, but demand fluctuations often force utilities to curtail production. A transatlantic link would allow off-peak nuclear power to be transmitted to regions with higher demand, reducing waste and improving the economics of nuclear energy.
While the benefits are clear, the project faces significant hurdles. The most obvious is the sheer scale of the endeavour: laying a subsea cable across the North Atlantic would require substantial investment, advanced engineering, and international cooperation. The cable’s lifespan, however, would far exceed that of battery storage systems, which lose up to 30% of energy as heat during charge-discharge cycles. Ultra-high-voltage cables with low current could minimise transmission losses, delivering more usable energy to end markets.
Another challenge lies in balancing domestic and export priorities. This could involve expanding hydroelectric projects in Quebec and Labrador or investing in next-generation tidal and wind technologies.
As discussions progress, stakeholders will need to address key questions: What is the optimal route for the cable, and how will it integrate with existing grids? How will the project be financed, and what role will public and private sectors play? And crucially, how will the environmental impact, particularly on marine ecosystems, be mitigated?
The next phase will likely involve feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations, with a focus on identifying potential landing sites in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and the UK.
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