Sun Cable’s Australia-Singapore Power Link (ASPL) has been awarded Major Project Status by the Northern Territory Government.
The proposed Australia-Singapore Power Link is a $20 billion, 10GW solar farm and a 20-30GWh storage facility near Tennant Creek. The Tennant Creek region has one of the highest solar irradiance resources on the planet, making it an ideal location for the proposed solar farm.
The project intends to supply long term, competitive, stably priced renewable electricity to the Darwin and Singapore markets, by supplying loads in the Darwin and Singapore markets via a high voltage direct current transmission.
Integrating the ASPL into the developing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) power grid will also be assessed in detail during the development phase.
The ASPL has the potential to create 1000 jobs during the construction phase and 300 operational jobs.
The project is currently engaging local contractors and will seek to manufacture prefabricated solar farm technology in Darwin and Adelaide.
A Project Development Agreement (PDA) will now be negotiated between the NT Government and Sun Cable Pty Ltd.
The PDA will provide the framework for Sun Cable and the Northern Territory Government to work together in progressing the ASPL through the required approvals processes. Sun Cable will be required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and a Territory Benefit Plan.
The Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, said, “The Northern Territory has an incredible opportunity to lead the world as a renewable energy hub – and seizing this opportunity will deliver thousands of local jobs.
“We have the guaranteed cloud free days, the land and a Government with the vision, plan and will to make it happen.
“Major Project Status for Sun Cable is an important step towards making this vision a reality.
“The Sun Cable project is a gamechanger for the Territory and will further our reputation around the world as a place to do business and invest.”
Minister Gunner said that not only does the project announce the Territory as a major world player for renewable energy exports, but also a future where clean, cheap, reliable energy creates local jobs in industries right across the Territory.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Sun Cable to make this project a reality.”
A representative from Sun Cable said that Sun Cable is excited to enter the next phase of the development process for the Australia-Singapore Power Link.
“The Northern Territory is proving to be a great jurisdiction to work in. We look forward to advancing the project with the Northern Territory Government’s support.”
