Polar Connect Step 1– Charting the Arctic Path to Global Connectivity
Polar Connect Step 1 is powered by a consortium of five key beneficiaries: NORDUnet, The Swedish Research Council, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, DTU/DeiC and GlobalConnect. Together we will ensure the long-term success of the Polar Connect initiative by mitigating geographic, geopolitical, and environmental risks early in the planning phase.
This Polar Connect Step 1 (PC1) action supports the implementation of the Polar Connect initiative. It will provide design and exploration studies on relevant parts of the seabed in the Arctic Ocean to determine the optimal route for Polar Connect, in preparation for the future marine survey phase. The project will also prepare the tender document for the marine survey, which is expected to begin only after 2027, following the construction of a new icebreaker.
Building on the results of the CEF-Digital action 21-EU-DIG-Northern Gateways and the ongoing activities of the CEF-Digital action 22-EU-DIG-NPF, the planned studies aim to select the optimal route and strive to align the layout of Polar Connect with other initiatives, to support resilience between the projects.
Time period: 2025-2027 (36 months)
Our role in Polar Connect Step 1
The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat brings Arctic field expertise to the consortium and leads Work Package 3 - Mapping of the Arctic Route. The Secretariat is responsible for coordinating and executing a series of survey missions in the Arctic Ocean using the icebreaker Oden, with the aim of collecting critical seabed and environmental data for future route planning. The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat also contributes to Work Package 4 by assessing environmental impacts over the cable’s potential 25-year lifecycle. These inputs are essential for determining the technical and environmental feasibility of the Polar Connect route.
Join the Polar Connect initiative
We are actively seeking new collaborators as the project evolves. If you’re interested in joining or supporting this transformative initiative, please contact project leader Åsa Lindgren at asa.lindgren@polar.se
Polar Connect
Explore the broader Polar Connect Initiative and how it supports secure, scalable, and future-ready digital infrastructure across the Arctic region.
Beneficiaries
Polar Connect Step 1 Project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions
expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Project Acronym: 23-EU-DIG-PC1