Sun Cable project backed by Infrastructure Australia

The Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), which would export solar energy from the Australian outback to Singapore via an undersea transmission link, has received Infrastructure Australia’s support.

The approval means that the project may move up to Infrastructure Australia’s third-stage, “investment-ready” status, which opens the door for public funding.

An enormous solar PV and battery energy storage project is being planned for development on a 12,000-hectare location in Australia’s Northern Territory by Singapore-based Sun Cable. The project will consist of a 17–20 GW solar farm and 36–42 GWh of energy storage.

When AAPowerLink is operational, a 4,200-kilometer transmission network, including a 750-kilometre overhead transmission line from the solar farm to Darwin and a 3,800-kilometer underwater cable from Darwin to Singapore, will supply power to Darwin and Singapore. More than 3 million houses are anticipated to be powered by renewable energy annually thanks to the project.

“The Australia-Asia PowerLink will be transformative for the country on multiple fronts,” said PwC Australia Chief Executive Officer Tom Seymour.