1. Overview

(1) Definition - underwater power cable
An underwater power cable is a submerged cable capable of transmitting high voltage electricity over long distances. It also allows for communication between lands separated by bodies of water. Aside from the fact that cable composition may differ depending on whether the power cable transmits AC or DC currents, it is similar to underground power cables.
Underwater power cable systems are also useful for operations which require large amounts of power, such as oil and gas platforms, by helping connect them to the mainland’s grid. Factors such as landing points, maritime boundaries, cable selection, geopolitics, burial requirements, permits, natural and artificial obstacles/hazards should be considered when establishing underwater power cables.

(2) Characteristics - underwater power cable industry
Unlike over- or underground power cables, it is critical for underwater power cables to be protected from damage. Once installed, underwater power cables are used for more than 30 years, as a result, it must be able to withstand saline corrosion and damage from nets and marine life. The underwater power cable industry requires the best cable technology as it plays a critical role in providing power between countries and lands.
The cable and connector market value chains for satellite and underwater industries are shown in Figure 1.
There are a wide range of cable and connector market value chains for satellite and underwater industries, depending on its use from manufacturers to service providers.

① Manufacturers and assemblers
Alcatel-Lucent(France), Prysmian Group(Italy), Nexans S.A. (France), TE Connectivity Ltd.(Switzerland), Esterline Technologies Corporation(U.S.), Positronic(U.S.), Molex, Inc.(U.S.), AEI Cables Ltd.(U.K.), etc.

② Distributors
IEWC(U.S.), FCI Electronics(France), Wesco International Inc.(U.S.), etc.

③ End-users
XTERA Communications, Inc.(U.S.), TATA Communications(India), NASA(U.S.), Lockheed Martin Corp.(U.S.), ISRO(India), AT&T(U.S.), etc.

④ Service providers
Asean Cableship Pte Ltd.(Singapore), Atlantic Cable Repair & Maintenance Agreement(ACMA, U.K.), etc.
One of the biggest issues for islands more than 100km away from the mainland is that it is difficult to supply electricity. However, it is necessary to send electricity to these difficult-to-develop areas. In these instances, ultrahigh pressure cables, capable of transmitting over 66kV, are used.

2. Market Trends

The global underwater power cable market was worth an estimated $4.06 billion in 2016. Growing at 5.89% YoY, it is expected to be worth $5.83 billion by 2020.
The global underwater power cable market, depending on the cable’s purpose, is divided into several sectors: connecting offshore wind power, connecting land-to-island, and connecting offshore oil rigs. In 2015, the offshore wind power connections sector accounted for the greatest market share at 47.21%. The offshore wind power connections sector is expected to grow from $2.22 billion in 2016 at 8.01% compound annual growth rate(CAGR) to be worth an estimated $3.04 billion by 2020. The land-to-island connections sector is expected to grow from $1.69 billion in 2016 at 4.25% CAGR to be worth an estimated $2.01 billion by 2020. Lastly, the offshore oil rig connections sector is expected to increase from $426.2 million in 2016 at 2.43% CAGR to be worth an estimated $473 million by 2020.
The global underwater power cable market is sectorized based on cable type and components into XLPE cables, MI cables, cables joints, and cable terminating devices.
The XLPE cable sector is expected to grow from $667.7 million in 2015 at 6.3% CAGR to be worth an estimated $1.09 billion by 2021. The MI cable sector is expected to grow from $ billion in 2015 at 5.9% CAGR to be worth an estimated $1.13 billion by 2021. The cable joints sector is expected to grow from $281.5 million in 2015 at 6.1% CAGR to be worth an estimated $429 million by 2021. Lastly, the cable termination device sector is expected to grow from $554 million in 2015 at 6% CAGR to be worth an estimated $789.5 million by 2021.
Upon examining the global underwater power cable market by region, European markets accounted for the greatest share at 47.89% in 2016. The European market size is expected to grow from $2.19 billion in 2016 at 5.26% CAGR to be worth an estimated $2.71 billion by 2020.
The Asian market size is expected to grow from $1.55 billion in 2016 at 7% CAGR to be worth an estimated $2.04 billion by 2020. The North American market size is expected to grow from $866.3 million in 2016 at 5.45% CAGR to be worth an estimated $1.08 billion by 2020.
In 2015, Prysmian accounted for the largest share of the European offshore wind power connections sector at 48.23%

3. Business trends

Major companies in the global underwater power cable market include ABB, General Cable, Nexans, NKT Cables, Prysmian, Sumitomo, Fujitsu, Huawei Marine Networks and NEC.

(1) ABB
ABB was founded in 1988 and has its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. It provides automation and power technologies to various industries including utility, logistics, and infrastructure. ABB operates in a variety of sectors including power products, power systems, low voltage products, process automation, individualized automation and motions.

(2) General Cable
Headquartered in the United States, General Cable manufactures and markets copper, aluminium, fibre optic wire and cable products for other manufacturers around the world. General Cable designs, integrates and installs high- and ultra-high voltage ground and underwater power cables.

(3) Nexans
Nexans was founded in 2000 and has its headquarters in Paris, France. It offers a wide range of cable and cabling systems to a variety of industries.

(4) NKT Cables
NKT Cables was founded in 1891 and has its headquarters in Cologne, Germany. It provides power cables and cabling systems for electrical transmission, distribution and electrical installations. NKT Cables also manufactures temperature monitoring systems, optical ground lines and optical phase conductors.

(5) Prysmian
Prysmian was founded in 1872 and has its headquarters in Milan, Italy. It is a vertically integrated business manufacturing, supplying and installing its own products. Prysmian primarily operates in the energy and telecommunications sectors. In the energy sector, it provides underground and underwater power transmission cables and systems, speciality cables for various industries, low-voltage cables for infrastructure and construction industries, as well as intermediary cables.

(6) Sumitomo
Sumitomo was founded in 1987 and has its headquarters in Osaka, Japan. It specializes in design, manufacture and sales of electric cables, cutting-edge electronic devices, fibre optic and automotive components, carbide tools and speciality steel products. Sumitomo manufactures electronic components and semiconductors for energy, telecommunications NEC cables and ultra-fine wires fitted into key products.

(7) Fujitsu
Fujitsu was founded in 1935 and has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It is an information technology company which provides customer-oriented information technology and communication solutions.

(8) Huawei Marine Networks
Huawei Marine Networks has its headquarters in Tianjin, China. It integrates advanced communications and marine operational technologies to develop underwater communications cable networks around the world.

(9) NEC
NEC was founded in 1899 and has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It provides information technology and network technology solutions.