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"Depending on voltage level and construction details, HVDC transmission losses are quoted at 3.5% per 1,000 km (620 mi), about 50% less than AC (6.7%) lines at the same voltage." [1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current#Ad...

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Over such long distance, the issue with AC wouldn't be losses but the absurd capacitance of such a long line. That would basically mean you'd need a compensation station every few 100s of kms, which doesn't work very well when you're in the middle of the sea.

And note this is exponential. 2,000km costs you 3.5% + 3.5% + 3.5% * 3.5%. By the time you're running wires around a planet that really adds up.

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