Yes - all the serious proposals are dead (the xlinks guy is a grifter) because underwater HDVC costs have risen while panel prices are a tenth of what they were

Yes - all the serious proposals are dead (the xlinks guy is a grifter) because underwater HDVC costs have risen while panel prices are a tenth of what they were. Not only the finances, but (as I described in another comment), the security aspects of depending on fixed infrastructure in unaligned and relatively politically unstable countries are very unpalatable. Such infrastructure is incredibly vulnerable and difficult to protect.