Recently, the Australian government has greenlit an ambitious solar project set to be the largest of its kind worldwide. The project, dubbed the “world’s largest solar precinct,” is located in the Northern Territory. This initiative is spearheaded by the renewable energy firm SunCable and backed by tech millionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes.
“This massive project is a generation-defining piece of infrastructure. It will be the largest solar precinct in the world – and heralds Australia as the world leader in green energy,” stated Australia’s Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
The project, situated in Powell Creek, will harness the sun’s power across a sprawling 12,000-hectare (29,650-acre) area and will feature not only solar panels but also batteries and an ambitious underwater cable connection to Singapore.
The Australia-Asia Power Link project will deliver electricity 3,168 miles to Singapore, with an expected capacity of four gigawatts per hour for local use and an additional two gigawatts destined for the city-state. The infrastructure will also include a 497-mile (800 km) transmission line to Darwin. The initiative is anticipated to generate significant economic benefits, with SunCable projecting over $20 billion in economic contributions to the Northern Territory and creating up to 6,800 jobs annually during construction.
Plibersek emphasized that the project will adhere to stringent environmental guidelines to protect significant species and habitats. The anticipated Final Investment Decision (FID) is set for 2027, with the first power supply expected in the early 2030s.
Despite the enthusiasm for household solar panels among Australians, the country has historically lagged in fully committing to renewable energy. In 2022, renewables accounted for just 32 percent of Australia’s electricity generation, with coal still making up 47 percent. However, recent natural disasters have catalyzed a shift towards more sustainable energy solutions.
“This project generates almost six times the energy of a large nuclear reactor, showcasing the significant potential of renewable energy compared to slower and costlier alternatives,” Plibersek noted.
The new government’s push has already resulted in 55 renewable energy projects in just two years, capable of powering nearly 7 million homes.
“This project not only propels Australia into a new era of renewable energy dominance but also represents a tremendous economic boost for the Northern Territory,” Plibersek added.