Australia Approves AU$20 Billion Solar Project to Power Singapore via 4,300km Undersea Cable

Australia has greenlit a massive AU$20 billion (US$13.5 billion) solar project that will export renewable energy from a giant solar farm in the country’s north to Singapore via a 4,300-kilometer undersea cable. The project, spearheaded by SunCable, marks a significant step forward in global renewable energy efforts and positions Australia as a leader in green energy production.

Massive Solar Farm to Power Millions of Homes

The Australia-Asia Power Link project, approved on August 21 by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, will feature the world’s largest solar farm. This vast solar precinct will generate enough energy to power three million homes. Equipped with solar panels, batteries, and an undersea cable, the project aims to meet growing renewable energy demands both in Australia and abroad.

“This will be the largest solar precinct in the world and positions Australia as a global leader in green energy,” Plibersek said, emphasizing the project’s potential to revolutionize energy production and export.

Timeline and Environmental Considerations

SunCable expects to make a final investment decision by 2027, with electricity supply slated to begin in the early 2030s. The project’s approval comes with stringent environmental safeguards, ensuring the protection of local wildlife, including the greater bilby, a small marsupial native to Australia.

Over two stages of development, the project aims to deliver up to 6 gigawatts of clean electricity to large-scale industrial customers in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, and Singapore. This ambitious undertaking is expected to significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions in both regions.

Support and Global Interest

The approval of the project coincides with Australia’s center-left government intensifying its commitment to renewable energy projects, even as the opposition advocates for nuclear energy as an alternative to coal-fired power by 2050.

SunCable, owned by billionaire and environmental advocate Mike Cannon-Brookes, hailed the government’s decision as a “vote of confidence” in the viability of the project. Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of tech firm Atlassian, has long championed the project, asserting that it will attract substantial interest from international investors.

“SunCable will now focus on advancing the project towards a final investment decision by 2027,” said Cameron Garnsworthy, Managing Director of SunCable Australia, in a statement. The company is currently in discussions with Singapore’s energy regulator for conditional approval of the cable inter-connector component and with the Indonesian government for the cable’s construction within its territorial waters.

Last month, the Northern Territory government and the region’s environmental authority also gave the project the green light, further solidifying its path forward.

About Australia-Asia Power Link Project

The Australia-Asia PowerLink is a privately proposed project that leverages northern Australia's unique ability to generate zero-emission electricity, delivering clean energy to both the Darwin region and Singapore. This initiative is expected to lower electricity prices for residential and industrial customers in Darwin, cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and establish a new renewable electricity export market for northern Australia.

Additionally, the project is anticipated to boost economic activity through supporting industries during its construction and operation, and could potentially attract new investments in industries seeking to capitalize on reduced energy costs.