Australia Approves $19 Billion Solar Project to Power Singapore

Australia has given environmental approval for a groundbreaking $19 billion solar power project aimed at exporting electricity to Singapore. The Australia-Asia Power Link, spearheaded by SunCable, will generate 6GW of renewable energy, with one-third being transmitted to Singapore via an undersea cable. Once completed in the early 2030s, the project could supply up to 15% of Singapore’s energy needs.

The 12,000-hectare (29,650-acre) solar farm, located in the remote Northern Territory, is set to become the largest solar precinct in the world. Australia’s Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasized that the project would create 14,300 jobs and cement Australia’s status as a “renewable energy superpower.” Plibersek described the initiative as a generation-defining infrastructure that positions Australia as a global leader in green energy.

The approval comes with stringent environmental conditions, ensuring the project avoids harming the habitat of vulnerable species like the greater bilby. SunCable’s Managing Director, Cameron Garnsworthy, expressed confidence in meeting these conditions, affirming the company’s commitment to being responsible stewards of the Northern Territory’s environment. The next phase of planning will focus on advancing towards a Final Investment Decision by 2027.

Despite the environmental green light, the project must navigate additional regulatory hurdles in Singapore and Indonesia. Earlier uncertainty arose when SunCable went into voluntary administration due to a dispute between key backers, including billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes. However, the project was revived in May after Cannon-Brookes led a consortium that acquired the company’s assets.

The project’s approval highlights the growing importance of renewable energy in Australia, a country still heavily reliant on coal and gas. While both major political parties are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, they differ on the path forward. The governing Labor Party advocates for the ongoing renewable energy transition, while the opposition Liberal Party recently proposed nuclear power, which Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed as impractical.

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