The Subsea Link That Could Reshape Regional Power

A proposed subsea power link from Australia to Southeast Asia hints at a new era of cross-border clean electricity trade

17 Dec 2025

An ambitious proposal to export renewable electricity from northern Australia to Southeast Asia via a subsea cable is progressing quietly through planning and approvals, drawing attention from policymakers and energy investors across the Asia Pacific region.

The project, led by developer SunCable, would transmit solar power generated in remote parts of Australia to energy-hungry urban centres overseas through one of the world’s longest undersea power links. While still years from completion, the plan reflects growing interest in cross-border electricity trade as countries seek to meet rising demand and decarbonisation targets.

At its core, the proposal rests on a simple premise: regions with abundant land and solar resources can supply clean power to densely populated markets constrained by space, grid capacity and domestic energy options. Supporters say such links could improve energy security while supporting long-term climate goals set by governments across the region.

SunCable has positioned the project as long-term infrastructure rather than a near-term commercial venture. The company has said the cable is intended to operate for several decades, with durability taking precedence over speed. Analysts note that the project remains at a preparatory stage, with final investment decisions and construction expected later this decade. Commercial power flows are unlikely before the early 2030s.

Progress so far has focused on groundwork. Engineering adviser Hatch has pointed to advances in subsea cable technology, including improvements in materials, installation techniques and thermal management. These developments have supported feasibility studies and early regulatory processes, even as the most complex engineering challenges remain ahead.

The proposal aligns with a broader regional trend. Governments across Asia Pacific are exploring deeper energy cooperation as decarbonisation pressures intensify. For island nations and compact city-states in particular, subsea interconnectors are increasingly discussed as a way to access cleaner electricity without expanding domestic generation.

Significant obstacles remain. The project must secure cross-border approvals, raise substantial financing and deliver a complex infrastructure build. High capital costs, permitting risks and reliance on a single transmission link continue to weigh on investor confidence.

Even so, the proposal is influencing regional debate. If completed, it could reshape expectations about how renewable electricity is traded across borders in Asia Pacific.