Renewable energy developer Sun Cable has achieved a significant milestone, receiving approval from the Australian government for the Australian segment of its ambitious Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) project. This approval, granted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) by the Commonwealth’s Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, follows a similar approval from the Northern Territory government and the NT Environment Protection Authority last month.
“The Australia-Asia PowerLink project aims to deliver up to six gigawatts of green electricity each year.” https://t.co/m5M9KZJUUv
— Fast Co. Impact (@FastCoImpact) August 21, 2024
The AAPowerLink project, once complete, will be one of the world’s most extensive renewable energy projects, deploying between 17GW and 20GW of solar capacity and between 36.42GWh and 42GWh of energy storage. This infrastructure will connect Australia’s Northern Territory with Singapore via a 4,300km subsea cable, supplying power to both Darwin and Singapore.
Cameron Garnsworthy, Managing Director of Sun Cable Australia, described the approval as a landmark moment, reflecting the Australian government’s confidence in the project. He stated that the company would now focus on progressing towards a final investment decision by 2027.
“This is a vote of confidence in the project and Sun Cable itself as responsible stewards of the Northern Territory environment,” Garnsworthy remarked. “Our efforts will now turn to advancing the project through the next stage of planning.”
The AAPowerLink project is not only a renewable energy initiative but also a significant contributor to international energy cooperation. It aims to deliver up to 4GW of green electricity to Darwin’s industrial customers and 1.75GW to Singapore, ultimately providing 15% of Singapore’s electricity needs through a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable by the early 2030s.
Sun Cable has also committed to further investments in communities across the Northern Territory, Singapore, and Indonesia to facilitate the project’s advancement. The company is engaged in ongoing negotiations with Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) with Traditional Owners in the Northern Territory, ensuring the project proceeds with cultural and environmental sensitivity.
In Singapore, Sun Cable is working closely with the Singapore Energy Market Authority on securing the necessary approvals for the subsea cable component. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Indonesian authorities to address regulatory and permitting requirements, including the sharing of hydrographic data for the subsea route.
Sun Cable’s resurrected Australia-Asia PowerLink project, which aims to generate solar power from the Barkly region for use in Darwin and Singapore, has been approved by federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. https://t.co/oB0bkusO4r
— NT Independent (@independent_nt) August 21, 2024
Andrew Barton, the project director for AAPowerLink, emphasized that the project would utilize proven technologies already deployed in global projects, aiming to unlock the full potential of solar energy.
As Sun Cable moves closer to realizing this groundbreaking project, the company continues to navigate the complexities of international collaboration, regulatory approvals, and community engagement, setting a new standard for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Key Points:
- Sun Cable secures Australian government approval for the AAPowerLink interconnector project.
- The project will deploy up to 20GW of solar capacity and 42GWh of energy storage, connecting Australia’s Northern Territory with Singapore.
- AAPowerLink aims to supply 15% of Singapore’s electricity needs via a 4,300km subsea HVDC cable.
- Sun Cable is negotiating with Indigenous communities and working with Singapore and Indonesian authorities to advance the project.
- The final investment decision for the AAPowerLink project is targeted for 2027, with electricity supply anticipated in the early 2030s.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
