The Territory Labor Government and Sun Cable have signed a milestone agreement that will advance development of the $22 billion Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL).

The project will see up to $8 billion invested into the Territory, which will host the largest solar farm and renewable energy system in the world.  

Today’s signing of the Project Development Agreement provides a roadmap for the NT Government and Sun Cable to work in partnership to finalise land tenure and commercial arrangements ahead of the project’s financial close.

The sun-soaked Barkly region has been chosen as the ideal location for a solar farm and battery storage facility, which will be built across 12,000 hectares near Elliott.

Once operational, power from the site will be available 24/7, with the solar farm supporting the 30GW storage facility.

As well as the Barkly’s sunny, cloud-free advantages, the facility will capitalise on the close access to road and rail.

The project will create 1,500 jobs during construction and 350 ongoing positions once operations begin.

Construction for the project will begin immediately after financial close in October 2023.

By 2027, the AAPL will have the capacity to provide a significant amount of renewable energy for the Territory, as well as up to 20 per cent of Singapore’s electricity supply.

This could provide a reliable, affordable energy supply and unlock potential for a green manufacturing hub in Darwin.

Once up and running, it’s estimated the project will export $1 billion dollars’ worth of solar electricity each year.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

“Today’s announcement is a big step forward for the Territory – for our energy security and our job security.

“This project will put the NT on the international map when it comes to renewables.

“It will also see hundreds of Territorians find work in the Barkly and Darwin regions during the construction and operational phases.

“Territorians are already seeing the benefits of this investment, with Sun Cable hiring more than a dozen Darwin firms for initial works.

“This project will transform the Territory into a renewable energy powerhouse, and cement our position as Australia’s comeback capital.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Renewables and Energy, Eva Lawler:

“This agreement shows strong confidence for investing in the Northern Territory and investing in renewable energy, which is not only good for the environment, but good for the economy.

“Locals can look forward to affordable energy that’s reliable and renewable by the end of the decade.

“Our Government is doing whatever it takes to keep Territorians in jobs, and ensure the economy is continuing to tick over.

“We look forward to the next steps of this exciting project.”

Quotes attributable to Sun Cable CEO, David Griffin:

“Through the Australia-ASEAN Power Link, Sun Cable seeks to generate and transmit dispatchable, competitively-priced, renewable energy at scale.

“This will provide affordable, reliable energy to support industrial growth in Darwin, as well as supplying up to 20% of Singapore’s electricity needs.

“The Australia-ASEAN Power Link project will help the Northern Territory make deep cuts to its emissions intensity by decoupling economic growth from carbon pollution.”