Giorgia Burzachechi Australia will build the world's largest solar power station, SunCable, in the Northern Territory to produce 6 gigawatts of energy, of which 4 gigawatts will power three million Australian homes, with the remaining 2 gigawatts exported to Singapore
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On August 21, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced the official approval of plans for the enormous solar plant, which would be 29,600 acres (12,000 hectares).
The facility is designed to produce 6 gigawatts of electricity per hour; 4 gigawatts will power three million Australian homes, while the remaining 2 gigawatts will be exported to Singapore via an undersea cable 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) long.
This is a monumental undertaking in the Northern Territory and a serious milestone for the energy transition in Australia, setting the country on course to be able to lead the world on renewable energy.
Economic and energy initiative
SunCable is more than an energy project. It is one of the major economic initiatives by Australia, due to its estimated investment cost of $22 billion USD. The investment has attracted investors, including billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, who is committed to green energy. This would have electricity generation starting in 2030, while the newly combined complex will have on-site batteries storing as much as 40 gigawatt-hours of energy. The project is likely to create a lot of jobs and boost the economy significantly in the north of the country.
But, even in euphoria, it still lacks important endorsements. Permits from the governments of Singapore and Indonesia, as well as certain Indigenous communities of Australia, are needed. Should those permissions be given, the construction could start as early as 2027.
Australia ambitious plans to mitigate climate change
Australia is among the biggest exporters of coal and liquefied natural gas – fossil fuels that still comprise the largest part of its energy production. But the country, in view of the dramatic changes brought about by rising temperatures, heatwaves, flooding, and bushfires, has set targets for reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It thus aims to cut its emissions by 43 percent from its level in 2005 by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. The SunCable project would form a crucial part of the strategy towards that end.
As Amanda McKenzie, chief executive of the NGO Climate Council, has underlined:
“Today, 40% of the energy in our national main grid is powered by reliable renewable sources. Major new projects like Sun Cable will continue to lift solar and wind dominance, providing affordable energy and cut climate pollution. With coal-fired power stations closing, Australia needs to accelerate the spread of solar and storage at all levels-from rooftops and large-scale projects to everything in between.”
Source: ClimateCouncil
