SunCable gets approval to export green electricity to Singapore

SunCable International, the company planning to supply solar and wind powered electricity to Singapore via an undersea cable, has received conditional approval for the project from the Singaporean Energy Market Authority (EMA).

The Conditional Approval follows a comprehensive process by the EMA which determined that AAPowerLink that aims to supply up to 15 per cent of Singapore’s total electricity needs is technically and commercially viable.

Interim CEO of SunCable International Mitesh Patel said: “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the commercial and technical viability of our project.

“Obtaining Conditional Approval 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.”

The project proposes to develop the world’s largest renewable energy generation and battery storage precinct in the Northern Territory, and a 5,000km high voltage direct current (HVDC) system to deliver 1.75GW of green electricity to industrial customers in Singapore.

This is in addition to the planned 4GW staying in Australia to power future green industries in Darwin.

Energy will be generated in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory, which offers some of the world’s best renewable resources, facilitating globally cost-competitive and secure green power, according to the company.

To date, SunCable has invested over $270 million across Australia, Singapore and Indonesia to support the development of the project, including planning for an advanced high voltage (HV) cable manufacturing facility at Bell Bay in Tasmania.

Patel said: “Receiving Conditional Approval provides increased confidence in the concept of developing cross-border electricity trade, and establishing a new export industry for Australia,.

“High voltage long-distance subsea cables are critical to the global energy transition, and solve for the transmission of green electrons within and between countries.”

In August, the AAPowerLink received its principal Commonwealth Government environmental approval, allowing the company to pursue the next phase of development.

The project will create thousands of jobs and an estimated $20 billion in economic value to the Northern Territory over its construction and operation phases.

Further reading:
Federal government gives approval to SunCable’s NT solar farm project
Bell Bay emerges as preferred location for $2 billion SunCable cable factory

Image: SunCable International