Australia on Wednesday approved plans to build a solar power plant and battery that it is touting as the “world’s largest solar park” that will export electricity to Singapore.
Australian authorities have announced environmental approval for the $24 billion SunCable project in Australia's remote north that is set to power three million homes.
The project will involve building a series of solar panels, batteries and, eventually, a cable connecting Australia to Singapore. The massive project is backed by tech billionaire and environmental activist Mike Cannon-Brookes.
“This project will be the world’s largest solar power complex –- and make Australia a world leader in clean energy,” Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said.
Energy production is expected to begin in 2030.
The project, which occupies 12,000 hectares of land, will provide 4 gigawatts of energy per hour (GWh) for household needs.
Another two gigawatts, to be sent to Singapore via undersea cable, will supply about 15 percent of the city-state's needs.
The battery will be able to store about 40 GW of power.
SunCable Australia managing director Cameron Garnsworthy said the approval was a “significant moment in the project's journey.”
Although the green light was given on Wednesday, there are still many approval processes still underway, including working with Singapore's energy market authority, the Indonesian government and Australia's Indigenous community.
“SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next planning phase to advance the project towards a final investment decision (Final Investment Decision/FID) targeted for 2027,” Garnsworthy said.
Clean Energy Leader
Australia is currently one of the world's largest exporters of coal and gas, but it is also being hit by the impacts of climate change, from scorching heat to floods and bushfires.
While Australians are among the most enthusiastic adopters of household solar panels, some state governments are still slow to fully embrace renewable energy.
By 2022, renewable energy will account for 32 per cent of Australia's total electricity generation, compared with coal, which accounts for 47 per cent, according to the latest government data.
Australian National University Energy Change Institute director Ken Baldwin said the project was a “world first” to export renewable electricity from solar and wind on such a scale.
“Australia has the best solar and wind resources of any country, and as a result, Australia is installing solar and wind at the fastest rate of any country in the world on a per capita basis,” he told AFP.
But this momentum must continue, especially if Australia is to achieve its net zero target by 2050, Baldwin said. (ft/rs)
