Sun Cable has lodged a development application with the Development Consent Authority for the first phase of a proposed solar array manufacturing assembly facility in Darwin, Australia.
The application is an important step in the ongoing development of the Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL); a solar energy infrastructure network that will provide Darwin and Singapore with competitively priced, dispatchable, high-volume renewable electricity from 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The development proposal is for a manufacturing facility that will pilot a semi-automated production line, manufacturing Maverick solar array systems that will help to build industrial and utility-scale solar farms across Northern Australia.
The Maverick system has been designed by an Australian company, 5B. A Maverick is an array of solar panels that is pre-fabricated so it can be easily transported and installed onsite. The establishment of this facility in Darwin will provide opportunities to supply future solar projects in the NT.
Phase two of the development will expand the facility to manufacture Maverick solar array systems for the AAPL, and establish a logistics and distribution center to transport material and equipment by rail to Sun Cable's proposed solar farm, near Elliott in the Barkly Region of the Northern Territory. Phase 2 of the facility will be subject to a separate approval process.
The architectural design has been prepared by Darwin-based company Bennett Design and the development application was prepared by Darwin town planning company, MasterPlan.
Concurrent to the development application process, Sun Cable will work with ICN-NT to undertake an Expression of Interest process in the local market to select a delivery partner for the project.
The application will be on public display for 14 days, giving an opportunity to comment on the proposal.
