Reducing deepwater power cable weight with Twaron® aramid

As deep-water energy transmission expands, the challenges multiply, especially as projects push toward and beyond 1,000 meters depth. Cable weight, elongation, and installation strain become defining constraints, affecting everything from deployment to long-term reliability. Twaron®, our high-performance para-aramid, offers a proven alternative to steel armoring. It delivers high modulus and low weight for deep-sea applications. 

The challenge: reducing cable laying tension in deep water

Deepwater cable installation, particularly in projects deeper than 1,000 meters, presents significant challenges for offshore energy projects. The immense weight of conventional steel-reinforced cables increases laying tension, leading to higher risks of failure and more complex handling requirements. This is where Twaron® makes a difference.

Twaron®: transforming submarine power cable armoring

For decades, steel armoring has been the standard solution for reinforcing submarine power cables. However, in deep waters, its weight undermines the very performance it’s meant to support. More steel means heavier cables, greater wear on installation vessels, and higher equipment demands. All of this increases complexity and cost. 

Twaron® cable reinforcement offers a more sustainable alternative. It is up to six times stronger than steel by weight yet significantly lighter, enabling cables to be up to 50% lighter than conventional designs. This improvement in strength-to-weight ratio allows cable makers and installers to use smaller, more cost-efficient installation vessels, simplify handling equipment, and load more cable per shipment.

Video: go deeper with Twaron® 

To better understand the impact of Twaron® on submarine power cable reinforcement, watch our video below. It highlights how Twaron® reinforces cables, reduces installation strain, and supports deeper cable laying in challenging offshore environments.