Underground infrastructure demand grows amid new drilling technologies

Global demand for underground infrastructure is rising as governments and companies seek to protect critical assets from geopolitical threats, such as drone attacks, and extreme weather. Key applications include the installation of electrical cables, fiber optics, pipelines, and data centers.

In California, the company EarthGrid has developed a tunnel-boring machine that uses plasma torches reaching 27,000 °C to melt through hard rock. During a recent test, the machine successfully penetrated three meters of granite. The company aims for commercial implementation next year, targeting sectors such as energy, water, gas, and logistics.

Other notable projects include the Trentino DataMine in Italy, which operates 100 meters underground in the Dolomites to provide natural protection against physical intrusions, electromagnetic interference, and seismic risks while reducing cooling costs. Additionally, the London Power Tunnels project in the United Kingdom involved a $1.36 billion investment to construct 29 kilometers of tunnels for high-voltage electrical cables.

Despite the benefits, experts note that underground construction remains significantly more expensive than surface alternatives. While advancements in laser guidance and gyroscopes have improved precision, challenges such as flooding and trapped gases persist.