Singapore's Sun Cable Pty and the Northern Territory Government (NTG) have signed a milestone agreement to facilitate the Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL), which will see the Territory host one of the world’s largest renewable energy systems.
The project includes a solar and storage precinct near Elliott, in the Barkly Region, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission connecting the precinct to the Darwin-Katherine Interconnected System (DKIS) and proposed Middle Arm Battery and an HVDC submarine link to Singapore.
The 70-year, AUD22 billion (US$16.75 billion) project will create about 1500 jobs during construction and 350 jobs during operations, as well as over $1B in exports.
Sun Cable has signed a Project Development Agreement with the Northern Territory Government that recognizes the AAPL’s Major Project Status.
Sun Cable will prepare a Territory Benefits Plan, including an Aboriginal workforce development plan and local participation strategy to maximize local jobs and procurement. The company has engaged Darwin company EcOz to prepare its Environmental Impact Statement for the project. The project has drawn on the services of another dozen Territory companies, covering environmental services, ecological and geotechnical surveys, architecture, legal, strategic communication, and maintenance.
The company expects AAPL’s financial close to be in late 2023, with first electricity to Darwin by 2026 and Singapore from 2027.
