TenneT and Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) have signed a framework agreement for the supply and installation of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) solutions across onshore and offshore substations in the Netherlands.

The agreement covers 19 projects with planned cable lengths of up to 498 kilometres, supporting efforts to improve the monitoring, reliability, and security of the country's electricity transmission infrastructure.

ASN Deploys OptoDAS for Subsea Cable Threat Monitoring

Announced on November 2, 2026, the agreement will see ASN deploy its OptoDAS technology alongside proprietary Cable Threat Monitoring (CTM) software.

The solutions are designed to provide real-time insights into cable conditions and identify potential threats to subsea transmission infrastructure, particularly connections linking offshore renewable energy sources with the onshore grid.

OptoDAS Technology to Monitor Onshore and Offshore Cables

ASN's OptoDAS system uses Distributed Acoustic Sensing technology to monitor cable infrastructure through optical fibres. Its frequency-swept interrogation technique enables long optical pulses to travel through fibre without compromising spatial resolution.

The system offers configurable measurement gauge lengths ranging from 2 metres to 40 metres, adjustable in 1-metre increments. This enables the detection of relatively small events along extended cable routes.

According to ASN, its technology can support distortion-free measurements over distances of up to 150 kilometres using standard optical fibres. The monitoring solution is intended to help TenneT assess cable conditions across increasingly extensive transmission networks, providing information to support asset management and operational performance.

Cable Threat Monitoring to Detect Seabed Disturbances

In addition to the DAS technology, ASN will provide its proprietary Cable Threat Monitoring software to identify and locate disturbances around subsea cables.

The system can detect seabed anomalies several kilometres laterally from a cable route and track their locations in real time. It will provide alerts to TenneT's operating centre, helping the transmission system operator improve situational awareness and respond to potential threats before they result in cable damage.

Monitoring seabed disturbances is particularly important for offshore transmission infrastructure, which can be exposed to external risks such as anchor activity and fishing operations.

Supporting Offshore Renewable Energy Connections

The agreement comes as TenneT prepares its electricity transmission network for increasing power demand and a growing share of renewable energy. The expansion of offshore wind capacity is driving the need for reliable connections between offshore generation facilities and onshore electricity networks.

Advanced cable monitoring systems can help operators identify potential issues, improve maintenance planning, and maintain the availability of critical transmission assets.

Menno Buisman, Asset Specialist Cable Monitoring at TenneT, said ASN's expertise and established technology would support the monitoring of the company's cable infrastructure and help maintain grid reliability and security of supply.

Eric Bouvart, Director of Sales and Marketing at Alcatel Submarine Networks, said the company was pleased to support TenneT in projects aimed at monitoring secure grid connections between offshore renewable energy sources and the onshore transmission network.

The framework agreement strengthens the application of fibre-optic sensing technologies in electricity transmission infrastructure, particularly as European power networks expand to accommodate larger volumes of renewable electricity.

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