The Northern Territory Government recently granted the largest solar plant in the world with a Major Project Status. The proposed project will provide Singapore with power and will be located in the Australian desert.
10GW Solar farm and 20 – 30GWh storage facility
The Northern Territory minister reported that negotiations are starting with the developer of the project, Sun Cable. A project development agreement is being drawn to get the solar farm and storage facility on the way. The location for the development is near Tennant Creek.
The $20 billion Australia – Singapore Power Link will be a collaboration between the NT government and Sun Cable, with the PDA providing the project framework. This is required so that the string of approvals can be granted which include a Territory Benefit Plan as well as an Environmental Impact Statement.
A report from the Beyond Zero Emissions concluded that instead of following the route of fracking reserves of gas, a massive investment in renewables would be the way forward. The multi-billion-dollar investment from the Northern Territory would be creating thousands of jobs while creating a brand-new hydrogen export industry.
More than 8,000 new jobs will be created with the proposed 10-Gigawatt Solar Farm. Besides jobs and renewable hydrogen, the vast amount of new energy export revenues is a major advantage. By 2030 the export revenues could reach an excess of $2 billion.
The close to the unlimited potential of the NT to generate renewable energy is perfect for building a resilient and strong economy while improving the people’s quality of life. The renewables-powered system would make sectors like manufacturing and mining more cost-effective while attracting more businesses to the Northern Territory.
The renewable electricity to Singapore and Darwin attracted various high-profile investors that include Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures.
That the proposed project has been granted Major Project Status is what was needed to enter the next phase of the Australia-Singapore Power Link.
