The more than A$30 billion Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), which will supply renewable electricity to Darwin and Singapore, has reached another milestone with the announcement of the project’s team.

One of the world’s largest renewable energy infrastructure projects will be delivered by a team consisting of Bechtel, Hatch, Marsh, PwC Australia and SMEC (a member of the Surbana Jurong Group) across different areas. The companies’ experience in developing and delivering complex infrastructure projects, together with a strong commitment to renewable energy giga-projects and providing global solutions to achieve net zero targets will be essential in delivering a project of such scale and significance.

The AAPowerLink will create a game-changing, world-first renewable energy infrastructure system. Sun Cable will integrate a range of technologies and infrastructure to develop one of the world’s largest solar farms, to be located in the Northern Territory, Australia (17-20 GWp); the world’s largest battery (36-42 GWh); and the world’s longest undersea High Voltage Direct Current cable system from Darwin to Singapore (approximately 4,200 km).

The AAPowerLink will be a high-capacity solar generation, storage, and transmission system that will transmit reliable, dispatchable renewable electricity from the Barkly Region of the Northern Territory to Darwin and Singapore markets.

The project is expected to begin construction from late 2023, with first supply of electricity to Darwin in 2026 and first electricity to Singapore in 2027 (full capacity by end of 2028).

Following the recent granting of the subsea cable route recommendation from the Indonesian Government and approval to undertake the next stage of the subsea cable survey, the appointment of the project management team is the next key milestone in delivering reliable, renewable energy from Australia to Asia.

The AAPowerLink will provide renewable electricity to Darwin, in support of the Northern Territory’s ambition to develop an A$40 billion economy by 2030. In recognition of partnership with the NT Government, Sun Cable signed a Project Delivery Agreement with the Chief Minister, Michael Gunner MLA, and was granted major project status in Jul 2019. Sun Cable is engaging with the First Nations stakeholders inclusive of Traditional Owners, recognised Native Title Owners, neighbouring communities, and Land Councils.

The AAPowerLink will also be capable of supplying up to 15 per cent of Singapore’s electricity needs, with full capacity available from 2028. Sun Cable’s modelling shows AAPowerLink could reduce Singapore’s emissions by six million tonnes per year, matching the entire climate abatement gap in Singapore’s announced 2030 targets.

By unlocking the vast, world-class solar, and land resources that Australia has available, Sun Cable is creating the pathway for a new export industry, generating up to A$2 billion per annum in exports for Australia, and forecasts the potential to directly and indirectly employ tens of thousands in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Michael Gunner, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government said the project will inject $8 billion into the Australian economy, with most of it being spent in the Northern Territory.

“This project continues to build momentum and create more jobs and opportunities for Territorians, and is another massive sign of confidence in the comeback capital.”