SunCable: Singapore gives nod to imports from world's biggest solar and battery project | RenewEconomy

Oct 23, 2024

The billionaire-backed SunCable project has won conditional approval from Singapore’s energy market authority to supply up to 1.75GW of Northern Territory-generated renewable electricity as part of its flagship project the Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink).

The nod from the Singapore Energy Market Authority (EMA), described by SunCable as “a vote of confidence” in the huge project, follows a comprehensive process by the EMA which determined that AAPowerLink is technically and commercially viable.

In August, Australia’s federal environment minister gave the green tick to the first stage of the project, which includes the section of the project’s sub sea cable that is in Australian waters.

SunCable is backed by software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, and was originally centred around a plan to build 20 GW of solar and up to 42 GWh of battery storage, and supply Singapore via a 4,200 kms sub sea cable.

Those plans have changed, firstly after a falling out with another green billionaire, Andrew Forrest, who wanted the project to focus on green hydrogen opportunities. Then, after bringing in Australian based Quinbrook Infrastructure, the shape of the project has changed again.

It is now likely to be split between solar and wind, with up to around 12 GW of each technology, which will require less battery storage as the wind will produce during the evening.

The project is also divided into clear stages, with the first focusing on supplying new green industries that are expected to be created around Darwin, and particularly in the Middle Harbour precinct.

The first stage also includes the 800km transmission link to Darwin from the pastoral property near Elliott in the Northern Territory, and will allow for up to 10 gigawatts of solar and battery storage to be built in the Barkly region of the NT, providing up to 4 GW of 24/7 green power.

The AAPowerLink aims to deliver 1.75GW of green electricity to customers in Singapore, in addition to the 4GW staying in Australia, to meet up to 15 per cent of the island nation’s day and night-time renewable energy demand.

“We are seeking to supply up to 1.75GW (15 per cent) of Singapore’s total electricity needs, and to critically diversify Singapore’s technology and import origin mix, which will improve the resilience of the country’s energy grid and help it achieve its Net Zero goals,” said Mitesh Patel, interim CEO of SunCable International.

“Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the commercial and technical viability of our project. …[It] means SunCable can move forward with the next phase of development and commercial activities and strengthening our partnership with Indonesia.

“We will also progress commercial discussions with industrial customers in Singapore and engagement with the Northern Territory Government and the Traditional Owners of the project site.”

SunCable says it is currently focused on advancing key authorisations and approvals with the NT government and with the Traditional Owners of the generation site, and is progressing commercial offtake discussions with green industrial proponents in the Darwin region.

The company will also continue development activities in Singapore and Indonesia, the latter in which it expects to spend $US2.5 billion over the project’s lifespan and create around 7,500 jobs across manufacturing, construction, marine, maintenance, and energy.

Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. She is the co-host of the Solar Insiders Podcast. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.