![]() Such submarine cables are often referred to as “telecom-marine data cables”, “SMART cables”, or simply “green cables”. Modern submarine cables, largely known for their application in telecommunications and for providing connectivity whilst at sea, are increasingly being explored as marine environmental monitoring tools. In this two-part article, while part I will deal with the opportunities for development of ‘green cables’ part II will deal with the associated legal challenges and possible efforts to address these challenges. Since the on-going effort of using these cables for dual use is being progressed without addressing the associated legal-regulatory aspects, there exists a need to revisit the existing legal regime for these emerging green-cables. However, a few obstacles exist in their usage, as the submarine telecommunication cables have been granted unique rights and freedom by UNCLOS while data gathering through marine scientific research is dependent on national restrictions and has been left undefined in UNCLOS. These submarine cables are thus providing a sweet alternative for use in marine scientific research and are referred to as ‘telecom-marine data cables’, ‘SMART cables’, or simply ‘green cables’. Modern submarine cables, known for their applications in telecommunications and connectivity, are currently being explored for possible applications in marine environmental monitoring by virtue of advancements in the integrated sensors and repeaters that can be installed on these cables at a mere additional outlay of 5–10 per cent of the total system deployment cost. The market drivers that support development of this technology and opportunities and challenges that India offers to this industry are discussed. This paper aims to provide an insight into submarine power cable while differentiating it from a power cable used on land. ![]() Though there are several issues (such as complex and unclear regulations, few consulting firms to conduct sea floor surveys and availability of cable-laying ships) that could impede the growth of submarine power cables, under-construction and future projects due to the increasing demand for renewal energy from offshore energy sources are ensuring that the necessary expansion, diversification, development and use of these cables cannot be stopped. Rising energy prices and concerns about climate change in the mid-2000s brought about a forced development of deep-water renewal energy sources (such as wind, wave, tide, etc.) which in turn renewed the interest in submarine power cables as there was a need to transmit the generated power to land from out-in-the-ocean renewal energy installations. Though these cables have been in use since the early 1800s, their use was primarily limited to transmitting electricity from conventional sources such as coal plants, either between countries or out to islands or oil platforms. Submarine power cables are specialised power cables that are used to transport electric current at high voltage below the surface of water.
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