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Australia-Asia PowerLink

Sun Cable’s vision is to see the Indo-Pacific region powered by renewable energy harnessing high-quality solar resources

We are creating a new green energy export industry and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Our flagship project is the Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink).  The AAPowerLink combines the world’s largest solar farm and battery storage facility in the Northern Territory, with a 5,000 km transmission system, to supply Darwin, Singapore and Asian markets with reliable and competitively priced renewable electricity.

(Map route is indicative)

3.2
GW of Dispatchable Electricity
4,200
Kilometres of HVDC Submarine Cable
12,000
Hectares of Solar Arrays
Up to 15%
Singapore's Electricity Needs

Opportunity

A significant energy transition is underway in the Indo-Pacific and the share of energy delivered by electricity is growing quickly. In Southeast Asia, energy demand is growing at an average of 6% per year and forecast to grow 60% by 2040. Demand for renewable electricity is accelerating due to its low cost.

Australia has the world’s highest per capita solar resource in the G20 and the second highest in the world. There is a unique opportunity to export large volumes of renewable energy, supporting regional energy needs and sustaining economic growth.

Progress

  • Completed Series A Capital Raise
  • Developed proprietary optimisation software for the entire AAPowerLink system, including the Singapore and Darwin electricity markets
  • Granted Major Project Status by both the Australian Commonwealth and NT governments
  • Completed the 750km Australian section of the subsea survey
  • Appointed PwC as Project Advisory Partner

Guardian Geomatic crew undertaking the subsea survey

Civil Engineering team, Paul and Obie, on site testing soil

Rationale

Regional demand for affordable, large-scale, dispatchable renewable electricity

Electricity is a major input to the highly industrialised Singapore economy. Accessing low cost, reliable electricity over the medium to long term is critical to the country’s long term planning and economic competitiveness. Singapore is currently reliant upon gas for approximately 95% of it’s electricity generation.

In order to improve this, the Singapore Energy Market Authority’s “Four Switches” policy, announced by Minister for Trade & Industry Chan Chun Sing in 2019, aims to increase renewable electricity imports.

Darwin

Affordable and large-scale renewable energy will support the transformation of the Northern Territory economy.

The NT Government recognises the potential of renewable energy in supporting local economic development and is undertaking the required steps to transition away from the current generation mix. The NT Government is currently progressing its Roadmap to Renewables policy, undertaking energy market reform and implementing all of the recommendations from the NT Economic Reconstruction Commission’s Report – all of which highlight the importance of renewable energy supply.

The view from the Guardian Geomatic vessel starting the AAPowerLink subsea survey in September 2020

The AAPowerLink System

The AAPowerLink is an integration of technologies

To build the AAPowerLink project, we will be integrating three technologies:

  • The world’s largest solar farm
  • The world’s largest battery
  • A 5,000 km high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system

Renewable electricity will be generated by a 17-20 GWp solar farm with approximately 36-42 GWh battery energy storage located near Elliott, NT. The electricity generated at the Solar / Storage facility will be transmitted 800km overhead to Darwin and then via a 4,200km undersea high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network to Singapore.

Environmental benefits

We are excited to be part of the green energy revolution that is decarbonising the power sector

As levels of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere are rising, so too are mean global temperatures and sea levels. The burning of coal, natural gas and diesel for electricity and heat is the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide being the biggest contributor. Societies are increasingly looking to transition to renewable energy that does not create carbon emissions.

Our environmental studies will look for ways to avoid and minimise impacts to environment and heritage values, as well as greenhouse gas emissions during construction. Sun Cable’s Environmental Impact Statement is currently being prepared for assessment by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments.

The Commonwealth EPBC Referral and NT EPA Referral for the AAPowerLink were placed on public exhibition in November 2020.

Sun Cable’s Development Manager & environmental scientist, Mark on site

Economic Benefits

The AAPowerLink will herald the start of a new renewable export industry

Sun Cable’s development of the AAPowerLink project will position Australia, Singapore and other Asian nations as regional renewable energy hubs and create significant economic and sustainable energy opportunities for decades

This project will create thousands of operational and construction jobs, stimulating opportunities for local businesses and suppliers now. The AAPowerLink is a AUD$30+ billion project.

Sun Cable CEO, David Griffin on Squawk Box talking about the AAPowerLink

In partnership with communities

We are consulting with Indigenous communities to maximise the benefits of the AAPowerLink and minimise harm to the environment

Sun Cable aims to be a good neighbour in the communities in which we operate.

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the land where our project will operate: from Powell Creek to the Timor Sea, and all the land in between. We also pay our respects to the communities and stakeholders associated with the proposed subsea cable route and network infrastructure in Indonesia and Singapore.

Throughout the life of the AAPowerLink we will minimise harm to the environment by caring for the land, as those before us have and continue to do so.

Near Elliott, Northern Territory.