Massive Australia-Asia PowerLink project in NT secures major approval

The Northern Territory Government and NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) have granted the principal environmental approval to SunCable for the development of its flagship Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink) project. 

This approval will enable SunCable to progress the development, commercial, and engineering activities required to move the massive renewable energy and transmission line project forward to Final Investment Decision. 

“The SunCable project has been through a rigorous environmental approval process and will be a great asset to the Territory as we move towards a renewable energy future. 

“This project will deliver thousands of jobs for Territorians and harness one of our greatest assets, the abundance of sunshine. 

“The Lawler Labor Government will continue to support and invest in projects that get Territorians working,” Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden said. 

The proposed AAPowerLink project will include the construction of a 12,000 hectare large-scale solar farm that will provide renewable energy to Darwin via a high-voltage cable and to Singapore through a high-voltage undersea cable. 

Through a rigorous environmental impact statement process, the NT EPA considered potential significant impacts from the project and made recommendations to the Minister. The Minister, who accepted the NT EPA’s recommendations, has issued an environmental approval with conditions that will ensure potential environmental impacts are managed to an acceptable level. 

As part of the approval, SunCable is also required to ensure impacts on the terrestrial and marine environments, including threatened species, are avoided and appropriately managed. 

“SunCable is delighted to receive environmental approval from the Northern Territory Government to proceed with our flagship Australia-Asia PowerLink project. 

“This approval allows us to progress the development, commercial, and engineering activities required to advance the project to Final Investment Decision targeted in 2027. 

“SunCable is founded with the belief that Australia can lead the world’s energy transition,” SunCable Managing Director Cameron Garnsworthy said. 

Australia-Asia PowerLink map (source: SunCable)

The AAPowerLink project is split into two major components – DarwinLink and SingaporeLink. 

DarwinLink is the onshore component of AAPowerLink that includes the development of a large-scale solar farm at Powell Creek in the Barkly region and an 800-kilometre overhead HVDC transmission line to Gunn Point in the Darwin region. 

DarwinLink is projected to deliver up to 4GW of renewable energy to the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct – 900MW in Stage 1 and about 3GW in Stage 2. 

The solar farm is expected to create 350 ongoing jobs and will have an operational life of up to 70 years. 

On the other hand, SingaporeLink is the international component of AAPowerLink. It includes the development of an offshore transmission system from Darwin to Singapore via Indonesian waters. 

A converter site is going to be built at Gunn Point where solar power is going to be transported to Singapore through 4,300 kilometres of subsea cables, delivering 1.75GW of renewable electricity to the country. 

The integrated AAPowerLink project is expected to create up to 1,750 direct jobs during its construction and support 12,000 indirect jobs – approximately 6,800 direct and indirect jobs each year of construction. 

The project is also estimated to generate 350 long-term operational jobs and about $8 billion in investments in Australia. 

“AAPowerLink presents a unique opportunity for the Northern Territory to be at the forefront of this global shift through the development of this world-class renewable energy resources to supply customers in Darwin and Singapore with 24/7 green electricity. 

“This will underpin a new wave of green industrial development in the NT, via prospective projects that include green minerals, hydrogen, e-fuels, and data centres. 

“This future-facing project will invest deeply in local communities in the Northern Territory from Central Australia to the Top End, as we create many thousands of local jobs, skill up Australian workers, and offer a host of opportunities for local businesses and suppliers,” Mr Garnsworthy said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; SunCable (1, 2); Renew Economy; PV Tech