Alphabet’s Google has completed the connection of a new transatlantic subsea cable, Nuvem, linking Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the United States to Sines, Portugal. The project, announced on Tuesday, adds a crucial data route between the US and Europe, aimed at meeting the growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services.

The Nuvem cable stretches approximately 7,000 kilometers and consists of 16 fiber pairs with a design capacity of around 384 terabits per second. The system routes through Bermuda and the Azores before reaching the Portuguese mainland, enhancing the resilience and speed of transatlantic data transmission.

Giorgia Abeltino, head of government affairs and public policy for Google Cloud EMEA, highlighted that Nuvem aligns with broader efforts by Portugal and Europe to invest in strategic digital infrastructure. She emphasized the vital role subsea cables play as the backbone of the global internet, transporting more than 95 percent of worldwide data traffic.

Portugal’s coastal position on the Atlantic Ocean makes it a strategic hub for intercontinental subsea cables. Prior to Nuvem, two major high-capacity cables have already connected Portugal to other continents: the Equiano cable, owned by Google, which extends to South Africa through several African countries, and the EllaLink cable linking Sines to Brazil.

State Reform and Innovation Minister Goncalo Matias described the Nuvem cable as a key component in Portugal’s ambition to establish itself as a leading center for data centers, AI development, and digital innovation. He noted that the country’s geographical location positions it as the “Atlantic gateway of Europe,” serving as a crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Portugal's government and private sector are also focusing on the sustainability of its digital infrastructure. The country aims to capitalize on its access to low-cost renewable energy sources, including hydro, solar, and wind power. More than 2.6 gigawatts of renewable capacity is currently under development, with projects like the 1.2-gigawatt Start Campus in Sines expected to benefit from investments by major technology companies such as Microsoft targeting AI infrastructure.

The new transatlantic cable is seen as a strategic step to bolster Europe’s digital sovereignty and resilience, supporting the continent’s capacity to handle increasing digital activity driven by AI and cloud computing. By enhancing connectivity and energy sustainability, Portugal aims to strengthen its role in the evolving global digital economy landscape.