Supertension or superconducting cables. 20 years on-can the UK regain the lead?

Progress made since 1967 is reviewed and it is found that the UK has lost the lead in all areas of high power cable technology except for paper insulated oil-filled cables. Activities during this period are summarised with special regard to superconducting cables where the recent discovery of high-temperature superconductors has stimulated interest again. The future prospects for the UK high-power cable industry are analysed in the light of the downtrend in the UK in both the supply of research and development staff and of research funding from both industry and Government sources